Jason’s Fall (The Rift 1) by Jason Lee Hard (4*)

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Rock Hard Romance

All those years acting as a tough straight guy are thrown away when Jason finds himself enjoying wet dreams about a chiseled, strong man who shows him how sinfully good sex between two men can be.
Jason begins to question his sexuality due to those evermore-recurring dreams that seem to be so real. His questions are answered on the day he meets Blaine, the stranger in his dreams who, in reality, is an irresistible and tempting demon.
This surreal revelation is the beginning of a life-changing journey where Jason discovers his true self, while stumbling upon a whole new dark underworld.
Jason finds himself in the middle of a colossal battle between angels and demons, while fighting one of his own: coming to terms with his sexuality.
WARNING: This book contains explicit scenes of consensual sex between men as well as some graphic language. It is intended for a mature, adult audience.

Jason’s Fall (The Rift Book 1)

This is the fourth book from this author I’ve read,and I think it has great potential-it is a quick read with a cliffhanger ending,but I eagerly await the next part!

As far as Paranormal reads go,I haven’t read a great deal,but I liked the idea of this,it is well written and adding the M/M element made it hotter and the scenes do well to reflect that.

Jason’s been dreaming of a mysterious stranger who takes him as never before-thus questioning Jason’s whole existence. When the fantasy becomes reality,it starts Jason on a journey to something he didn’t think possible.

“I was consumed by a lust I’d never experienced before and was in dire need of….of something I didn’t know exactly what,but I had an idea,a fleeting thought.I wouldn’t dare utter,although it was a battle I was quickly losing…”

There is something else coming,and again I was hooked and am interested to see where the story goes,hoping we do not have to wait for long to find out!

Tiger Lily Part Three by Amelie S. Duncan (4*)

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Rock Hard Romance

Lily loves Jonas but implicit trust is another matter. After all they’ve been through, she still can’t believe he’ll stay no matter how deep, how dark her secrets. With her ex, Declan, up to his worst, Lily’s embarrassed and ashamed…but she’s underestimated Jonas. He has brains as well as beauty. With the same ruthlessness he uses to dispatch his business rivals, he vows to annihilate Declan.

Lily is glad to relinquish control. Jonas is determined to personally oversee her recovery and she lets him. She’s still too weak to deal with the chaos that’s become her life. Jonas whisks her away to a secluded luxury loft in Tribeca and pampers her with sensual decadence.
Every caress, every lingering honey-sweet kiss they share says he loves her–even the way he possesses her body in the sultry heat of the night…but will Jonas commit? Will he ever be able to say those three little words she craves to hear from him?

Tiger Lily: Part Three

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

This is the final instalment of the story following Lily and Jonas and it is most definitely the strongest of the three books. You can tell how Amelie’s writing has developed throughout the series and it is a pleasure to follow their story to it’s conclusion.

Lily is so much stronger in this book and it was sorely needed. We all love our sexy domineering book boyfriends but for it too work for me they must have a strong female companion who can give as good as she gets and hold her own, otherwise there is no balance in the relationship.

Thankfully, after everything Lily has been through we are finally starting to see her shine and this is no doubt due to Jonas’s love and care. Jonas continues to be the strong domineering man we have come to love but Lily is by no means a walk over and is determined to finally have all of the man she loves.

After all the obstacles they have been through can Jonas finally commit to Lily the way she needs and wants?

Do we finally see the back of the destructive and devious Declan?

My lips are sealed you will just have to read the book to find out!

The Manhattanites Books 2&3 by Avery Aster (4 star reads)

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Rock Hard Romance

Undressed and Unsaid (MM Romance) by Avery Aster

Purchase link for book 1:

Unscrupulous: Billionaire Romance, Contemporary Romance (The Manhattanites Book 1)

*ARCs received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Undressed: Billionaire Romance, Contemporary Romance (The Manhattanites Book 2)

This is the first book I have read by this Author so I went in completely blind to the drama and mayhem of the high society life.
Lex Easton is a successful fashion designer running her own label while managing to stay out of the limelight.
Prince Massimo Tittoni is her hot Italian fabric supplier who at the twilight hour refuses to fulfill her order. Forced to fly half way across the world to confront him, she soon finds that her order is not the only thing he is refusing to fulfill.
This is a great holiday read and you will find yourself either laughing out loud or fanning yourself down. Avery does not shy away from her sex scenes and they are hot,hot,hot.
I really loved the male lead, the Prince is handsome as hell, loaded and Royalty, he also doesn’t suffer fools gladly and knows what he wants, what’s not to like?. I did, however, find it hard to warm to Lex, I understand that Manhattanites are outspoken go-getters but at times I did wonder what it was about her that the Prince found so alluring.
Thankfully, this book is told through dual point of view and it was this element that kept me reading to the end. If I’d had to stay in Lex’s head for the entire book I might not have continued.
In saying that, I did enjoy the concept of the story and the supporting characters are strong enough to carry their own, particularly Jemma who I am looking forward to finding out more about.

Unsaid: MM Romance (The Manhattanites Book 3)

Firstly, I was assured this novel could be read as a standalone, however, it is not solely about Blake and Miguel so I would advise reading the previous books in the series first so you have an idea of the back story. If you just want to immerse yourself in the main characters only, this would involve skipping certain chapters which would be a real shame.
I have to say I was looking forward to this instalment from the Manhattanites and I was not disappointed. Blake and Miguel have been friends for many years but Miguel still feels the bitter sting of the rejection he received from Blake all those years before, the reason for this is he is still very much in love with him.
When Blakes life begins to unravel, his friends decide that Miguel is just what he needs in his voyage of self-discovery. Miguel would love nothing more than to help his friend but is he willing to risk his heart in the process?
Blake wants Miguel but he is harbouring a secret and is terrified that if Miguel finds out, he will lose him forever, just as they are starting to open up to each other.
At the heart of this story is the real consensus that we all just want to be loved, no matter our sexual orientation or gender and the reader will be compelled to read to the end to make sure Blake and Miguel get their HEA. This book does, however, touch on some serious issues. I do understand reading some other reviews that some have wished this topic was not brushed over and delved into in more detail and I can understand that but personally I think the author did well in highlighting a taboo subject but in keeping with her style of writing. Avery writes sexy stories with a large amount of humour thrown in and I think to give more detail would have changed the tone of the whole book. In saying that Avery does not shy away from her sex scenes so if this is your first m/m read you are sure to have your eyes opened!This book is not for the faint-hearted or easily offended.
In amongst the passion and heart ache, the rest of the characters are back bringing their usual doze of drama, mayhem and humour we have come to expect.
All in all, I would recommend this book and I look forward to reading the rest in the Manhattanites series.

Everything I left Unsaid by M. O’Keefe

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Rock Hard Romance

Everything I left Unsaid

5** Review

Purchase Everything I Left Unsaid: A Novel

I didn’t think answering someone else’s cellphone would change my life. But the stranger with the low, deep voice on the other end of the line tempted me, awakened my body, set me on fire. He was looking for someone else. Instead he found me.

And I found a hot, secret world where I felt alive for the first time.

His name was Dylan, and, strangely, he made me feel safe. Desired. Compelled. Every dark thing he asked me to do, I did. Without question. I longed to meet him, but we were both keeping secrets. And mine were dangerous. If I took the first step, if I got closer to Dylan—emotionally, physically—then I wouldn’t be hiding anymore. I would be exposed, with nothing left to surrender but the truth. And my truth could hurt us both.

Emma received a Netgalley arc in exchange for honest review.

I would say the best way to read this book is BLIND. Don’t read any reviews (including mine although it’s spoiler free, I hope!), don’t read the synopsis… Just read it!

I loved this book! It’s a contender for top read of 2015 for me!

Cake for breakfast…check!

Skinny dipping….check!

Hot phone sex…check!

Annie McKay is a woman on the run. She’s running from an abusive, controlling husband. After finding herself in The Flowered Manor, a run down trailer park with an old converted RV she feels a semblance of safety. At peace with herself after so many years of being controlled.

“No one missed me. Or worried. Or wondered. I’d vanished and the world just kept spinning.”

Dylan Daniels lives on the mountain he owns, a life of solitude. One phone call between him and Annie change everything. He find’s himself drawn to Annie, breaking all his rules…intrigued by her meekness, he wants to break her out of her shell.

“Daniels was the beast. He was the bad guy in the stories. Some other asshole could be the hero, save the day and get the girl.”

Their story progresses at the perfect pace. Without giving too much away, Annie and Dylan don’t actually lay eyes on each other until about three quarters of the way through the book. Their relationship is based solely on phone calls until then. That being said every single moment and encounter between them is rife with want, longing and need.

“In her voice he could hear every dark and forbidden thing she craved. And he wanted to give it to her.”

“The distance between us throbbed. With anger. With lust. Questions and huge fucking secrets.”

“Now what?”
“Now, take off your clothes.”

Secondary characters play a huge part in this story. Who is Ben? Why does Dylan employ someone to watch him? Is Joan everything she seems? Tiffany the woman in the trailer by the Rhododendron bush? They all have their own person hardships, financial struggles, drama, past, secrets but still M. O’Keefe has created a community within the trailer park. Without seeing that community, I think the story wouldn’t of been as good for me.

I found myself wondering, only a page or two into Everything I left Unsaid… why have I never heard of M. O’Keefe before? Rest assured I have now added more books to my TBR (like I really had to!). She previously published with Mills & Boon under Molly O’Keefe and has books dating back to at least 2008 on amazon.

So a summary… A quick roundup of Everything I Left Unsaid, if that’s possible.

Discovery. Community. Cake for Breakfast. Skinny Dipping. Lust. Want. Need. Hot. Steamy. Some of the best phone sex, I’ve ever read.

Cliffhanger!

Yes, it ends on one hell of a cliffhanger. Book Two The Truth About Him is releasing November 24th. I’ve had the pleasure of reading book two already and can’t wait to share my review with you!

“This is what it’s like between two liars, baby.”

A note from Emma: due to illness review is late, Everything I left unsaid was released October 13th.

Review: Alasdair (Masters Among Monsters 1) by Ella Frank (4.5*)

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Rock Hard Romance

Alasdair is not for the faint hearted. It is a paranormal erotic Male/Male romance. It also features scenes of M/M/M, M/F and F/F. Please do not read if you feel you may be offended by the content.

Alasdair by Ella Frank

4.5 Stars!

Release Date: October 13th (Purchase link below)

Alasdair (Masters Among Monsters Book 1)

A DANGEROUS ALLURE
Bestowed with eternal life by the Ancient Vasilios, Alasdair Kyriakous is one of the most feared and ruthless vampires in existence. His name carries weight across all of the seven continents.

But he is a mystery to his kind, an anomaly among the self-indulgent. While he enjoys the pleasures of the flesh, he is exceptionally particular in his choice of partners and prides himself on his ironclad self-control.

Yet with one look his control will become a thing of the past, and Alasdair will discover that eternal life doesn’t always last forever…

A DEADLY ATTRACTION
Thrust into a world he could never have imagined, Leo Chapel awakens in his worst nightmare. Taken hostage by the dangerously mesmerizing vampire, Alasdair, Leo must rely on his intelligence to escape before he reveals a secret he isn’t even aware he’s hiding.

A FORBIDDEN DESIRE
Unaware that they’ve been brought together by an outside force and are little more than pawns to a higher power, Alasdair and Leo spend time trying to uncover the other’s secrets, the attraction between them growing stronger all the while.

But enemies are watching and preparing to act against them. When decisions that will alter lives and destinies have to be made—can a dead, grey heart learn to beat again?

Emma was provided with an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I knew nothing when I picked up this arc. Again I judged a book by it’s cover, and of course Ella Frank’s Name. It wasn’t until Shaz mentioned ‘some new M/M paranormal vampirey type book’ (yes i may be taking liberties with how she actually described it!) that I realised she was taking about Alasdair.

Greek mythology, vampires, and sizzling hot sex. Intrigued? As you should be.

“An arrogant as fuck smile stretched across Alasdair’s lips, and he went from sexy to downright fucking dangerous in seconds.”

Alasdair was erotic from the get-go, but strangely it wasn’t all about sex. Erotic? yes, Full of sex? no. Never thought I’d see the day,

I was turned on: tingling from my head to my toes and of course it includes all the important parts, but at times I found myself giggling…. yes, giggling. Like a teenager, a centuries old vampire going by the name of Alasdair had me giggling like a 14 year old with her first crush.

“You get a perverse kind of pleasure out of this, don’t you?”
“Out of?”
“My confusion. My fear. It turns you on, right? What kind of sick fuck are you?”
“Is that a trick question? I’m not a person, Leonidas. I’m vampire. That’s the kind of sick fuck I am.”

Ella managed to maintain the focus on the Alasdair and Leonidas while building a world of intriguing secondary characters: Isadora, Elias, Vasilios and Thanos, around them all without ever having it be too much. You get a little more of their world piece by piece but it doesn’t interfere, if anything it makes everything better! I loved the dynamic of the ongoing story lines with secondary characters.

Everyone has their own take on vampires, and their creation. I loved how Ella has managed to wrap Greek mythology into such a sexy, stunning story.

Book two will focus on different characters while continuing to build on the story that began in Alasdair. I’m hooked. Addicted. I’m pretty sure I shed a tear when I realised I had finished.

I. Need. More!

A note from Emma: Due to illness my review is late, Alasdair was released October 13th.

Scattered Ashes by Annie Anderson (4.5*)

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Rock Hard Romance

Arc given in exchange for honest review by Shaz

Release Date: October 27th

Pre-Order Link Below.

Aurelia Constantine is having a rough century.
Plagued by visions of murder, death and destruction, she has resigned herself to the nightmare her life has become. When an enemy from her past comes to her rescue, she must let go of old wounds and heal the breach so she may survive the evil poisoning her mind.

Rhys Stevens is guilty.
Murder. Betrayal. Treason. Take your pick; he’s guilty of them all. On the path of redemption, he must beg for forgiveness from the one person he fought to save – the woman he has always loved.

Thrown together in the trenches of war, they must work as a team to stop a monstrous puppet master from pulling their strings.

Ashes, ashes. We all fall down.
Get ready to burn.

Scattered Ashes (Ashes to Ashes Book 1)

I didn’t know what to expect going into this book. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a paranormal romance but what a pleasant surprise this book was.

We escape into a world full or Phoenixes, Wraiths and Seers, there we find Aurelia and Rhys who are bound together beyond their control. Aurelia hates Rhys, or does she? She has every reason too, but not everything is what it seems. There are two sides to every story after all.

Aurelia and Rhys must now stand together to fight an enemy that threatens to destroy them both. As they uncover the true depravity of their enemy and her reach,they also uncover their true feelings for each other.

There is a lot of detail in this book and I am in awe of Annies imagination and her ability to convey the images she creates. Many of the elements were new to me but she is able to explain them in a way that is understandable to new readers of this genre.

I really enjoyed the contemporary feel to this novel too and the strong female lead. She is very likable and doesn’t take any shit.

“When I said ready the safe house, I did not mean call every warrior and their brother to come guard us. I meant turn the lights and the hot tub on and get some booze. What the shit is going on?”

In fact, there are elements of humour throughout that bring light relief.
“There is nothing wrong with you,” Rhys tells Aurelia. “You are strong and beautiful, and I’m fucking lucky to have you. I just need to buy stock in fire extinguishers. No big,”

All in all this is a thoroughly enjoyable read and I look forward to the next installment now that I have been introduced into her world.

Shelter by Ashley John (5**)

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Rock Hard Romance

Fresh from his fourth stint in rehab, Elias James doesn’t have much to live for. His relationship with his family has never been so strained and with no real life of his own, he has nothing to live for. His overachieving twin sister and his ruthless mother’s political success as Mayor of Havenmoore has left him empty. Getting high started as an act of rebellion but the addiction soon controlled his every waking moment.

Aspiring writer, Caden Walker, thought he had the perfect life until he discovered his boyfriend in bed with his best friend. Leaving everything behind in New York, he returns to Havenmoore to re-evaluate his life from his parent’s guest bedroom. When his mom offers him a job working for the charity she runs, helping people struggling with addiction, he’s not in a position to turn it down.

Caden never expected to find what he did, but when he is assigned to work with Elias, a reluctant attraction quickly blossoms into something deeper. Can Elias find in Caden the one thing he’s always searched for or will his addiction drag him under once again? Is Caden ready to let go of his New York dream to take a chance on something unexpected? Both men are faced with difficult times of change, but can they make it through the storm to find the shelter?

Shelter

“You make me feel safe.You make me feel calm and you make me feel normal.It’s like your’re Shelter from all the things that make me bad…”

This is the fifth book by Ashley John that I (Vicki) have read and it will not be the last. Shelter is such a well written, emotional M/M read and yet it is so much more. The character’s are believable and I was drawn into the story right from the start, and the Epilogue was perfect for their HEA. I don’t want to go into too much of how their story unfolds-but I will say this, Elias had no self-worth, thinking he has nothing to live for, his initial struggle to cope outwith his fourth rehab stint for cocaine addiction.

I was angry at the ways and lengths his mother the Mayor of Havenmoore went to make sure no one knew of her son’s existence-only his twin sister Ellie being more acceptable for Public knowledge. Caden, who tired to resist his attraction to Elias, the inevitable finally happening resulting in both male leads finding something that was missing in each other, was tastefully done yet not making it the main focus.

For me this story is more about healing, repairing relationships between brother and sister, finding the strength to confront the one who has used their power to control situations and finding the unconditional love and respect deserved.

It is an absolute must read and is worthy of more than 5*’s

You can find out more about Ashley John HERE!

Note from Emma (Tech Rockette): Apologies for this review being posted later than promised on the website, I’ve been poorly sick and am only now just catching up!

Sempre Fi by Jane Harvey-Berrick 5*

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Rock Hard Romance

Semper Fi: The Education of Caroline: The Education of Caroline (The Education Series Book 3)

Ten years ago US Marine Sebastian Hunter was a teenager in love with a married woman—a woman who broke his heart.

Kicking his heels in a desk job in Geneva, he’s given the chance to get back to the action. Life just might be worth living again … until he meets the woman who broke him 10 years earlier.

Now she’s back, but he’ll do anything to keep her at arm’s length. Temptation doesn’t come much stronger, but he’d be a fool to fall for her again…

Caroline Venzi is a successful journalist, preparing to head out to report from the front lines of the war in Afghanistan. Love is the last thing on her mind when she crosses paths with Marine Sebastian Hunter.

Will this chance encounter reignite the erotic passion of their past?

This story is a re-telling of the best-selling contemporary romance ‘The Education of Caroline’, now told from US Marine Sebastian Hunter’s point of view.

Every one that knows me, KNOWS! my love of anything JHB but my favourite series of all time is The Education of Sebastian and The Education of Caroline. So when I heard we were getting the Education of Caroline told from Sebatian’s POV I pee’d just a little.

I was worried because I had read the story I would maybe get a bit bored as I have in the past with re telling but from his POV. It…didn’t happen. It was awesome being in Sebastian’s head, He is some man. I love how Jane captures his vulnerability when it comes to Caro. The passion between them is still as hot as it has ever been and it just shows as the saying goes True love never dies.

Tell your heart that your fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.

These words rang true to myself. As always with Jane there are a lot of note worthy lines. a few of my favourite came from Signora Carello Who owns a place where they stayed on their Italian travels

Amor regge senza legge- Love rules without Laws

and this one, I just adored.

L’amore mantiene giovani – The heart that loves is always young.

That’s an excuse to stay as young as you like 😉

Knowing what you know from TEOC you’ll all be prepared for a certain time in their lives, in TEOC I wanted to give him a good old slap! but now all I want to do is give him a hug. To hear his thought was heart breaking and you can see why Jane is so passionate in helping her chosen charities. All in all a must read for me, especially if you are a fan of the previous books.

All profits from the book go toward the felix fund. To find out more check out their website.

http://www.felixfund.org.uk

To get in touch and find out a bit more about Jane Harvey-Berrick check out her website.

http://janeharveyberrick.com/

Take a bow Jane you’ve wowed us again.

Peace out – Rose

Kristen Ashley – Walk Through Fire 4.9*

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Rock Hard Romance

Walk Through Fire (The Chaos Series Book 4)

The flame never dies . . .

Millie Cross knows what it’s like to burn for someone. She was young and wild and he was fierce and even wilder-a Chaos biker who made her heart pound. They fell in love at first sight and life was good, until she learned she couldn’t be the woman he needed and made it so he had no choice but to walk away. Twenty years later, Millie’s chance run-in with her old flame sparks a desire she just can’t ignore. And this time, she won’t let him ride off . . .

Bad boy Logan “High” Judd has seen his share of troubles with the law. Yet it was a beautiful woman who broke him. After ending a loveless marriage, High is shocked when his true love walks back into his life. Millie is still gorgeous, but she’s just a ghost of her former self. High’s intrigued at the change, but her betrayal cut him deep-and he doesn’t want to get burned again. As High sinks into meting out vengeance for Millie’s betrayal, he’ll break all over again when he realizes just how Millie walked through fire for her man . . .

Walk through fire is about Millie and High (Logan, low) They were madly in love in their youth, Millie ditched High after 3 years but no-one ever knew why. They were perfect for each other. Millie was born to step in to the shoes of an old lady. So why after such an epic tale of love did Millie through it all away?

After 20 years Millie sees High in a Chipolte and from there things get explosive and very very dirty with a little heart-break thrown in for good measure. New friendships are made along the way.

Fuck them. All of them. Especially Logan. He was dead to me.

There is a lot of heart-break along the way. Millie’s secret broke my heart, I just wanted to hug her and slap High for being so blind!

I found from all the old ladies I connected with Millie more than the others. She was just existing until High came back in to her life with the usual bang you’d expect from Chaos. We also get a few povs from Tack and Tyra. I don’t want to give away too much to spoil the read. I only had one issue with the book and that was the length. I felt there was some bits that could have been removed and would have still kept the amazing story line running. but as always I got to the end of the book and wanted more.

I mean who doesn’t want more of a KA Alpha!

Peace out – Rose

Welcome to Rock Hard Romance!

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Rock Hard Romance

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been working hard to build our new webpage.

We are so proud to be able to say…. HERE IT IS!!

Take a look around, let us know what you think!

To celebrate the new website we’ve teamed up with Amy Marxen Jennings of Romance Author and Reader Events to bring you an amazing giveaway! Just click the link below, some you are able to do each day so be sure to check back.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winner will be announced here and on the blog page on Friday 30th October!