Wicked Beautiful (Wicked Games #1) - J. T. Geissinger

A ruthless businesswoman and the playboy who dumped her long ago find themselves embroiled in a high stakes game of love, lies and revenge.

Life coach and best-selling author Victoria Price has it all: a successful career, fabulous friends, a fantastic penthouse in Manhattan. What she doesn’t have—and doesn’t want—is a husband. Fifteen years ago her high school flame broke her heart so badly she swore she’d never love again. Now she makes millions teaching other women how to be just like her: a ruthless bitch.

Drop-dead sexy restauranteur and infamous playboy Parker Maxwell has only three rules for the women he dates: no questions about his past, no expectations for the future, and no spending the night. When he meets Victoria, however, he’s willing to break his own rules if it means sating the explosive desire she arouses in him. What he doesn’t know is that the alluring Victoria Price used to be the mousy Isabel Diaz, the girl he deflowered and dumped long ago.

Presented with a perfect opportunity for revenge, Victoria decides the game is on. But when her connection with Parker proves more than just skin deep, she has to make a choice: continue with her plan for payback, or risk her career, her reputation, and her heart by taking a second chance on love?

This was an intense and fast read (I read it in one seating, but hey: holidays). Kept me at the edge of my seat at all times. Parker seemed like someone centered despite all his past mistakes and such. On the other hand, he was a little too slow to pick up on everything Victoria, like he was being led around by his manhood in some points. I liked Victoria's character: even though she was insecure and hurt she carried herself like an empowered, strong woman who gave no fucks. Tabby, Darcy and Kai were totally awesome, and kind of out of the ordinary, I specially loved the way Geissinger described Darcy. Go confident women! 

The scenes between Bailey and Parker were hilarious and sort of endearing. Connor was also a nice touch and his "backburner" story with Tabby seemed like an interesting "looking-foward to." The way the author used curse words but didn't abuse them and wove the past into the present of the story was kind of brilliant because you almost couldn't pinpoint the shift, and it didn't quite interrupt the whole of the story. I would have liked a bit more insight into Victoria's mom POV and more scenes with Parker and Victoria's daughter but overall, it was a good, entertaining story. It wasn't too dark, nor too light. Neither too profound nor too superficial... Just the kind of story to read when you´re in a funk, on the beach, or generally looking to relax and read something fun and intense. I rate this story with 4.3 inconspicuous stars.

The Chosen (Black Dagger Brotherhood, #15) - J. R. Ward

Xcor, leader of the Band of Bastards, convicted of treason against the Blind King, is facing a brutal interrogation and torturous death at the hands of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Yet after a life marked by cruelty and evil deeds, he accepts his soldier’s fate, his sole regret the loss of a sacred female who was never his: the Chosen Layla. 

Layla alone knows the truth that will save Xcor’s life. But revealing his sacrifice and his hidden heritage will expose them both and destroy everything Layla holds dear—even her role of mother to her precious young. Torn between love and loyalty, she must summon the courage to stand up against the only family she has for the only man she will ever love. Yet even if Xcor is somehow granted a reprieve, he and Layla would have to confront a graver challenge: bridging the chasm that divides their worlds without paving the way for a future of even greater war, desolation, and death.

As a dangerous old enemy returns to Caldwell, and the identity of a new deity is revealed, nothing is certain or safe in the world of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not even true love . . . or destinies that have long seemed set in stone.

As usual, J. R. Ward rocked this story SO hard. Up until the sixth chapter everything was a little too calm for my taste but those chapters were definitely needed in order to put everything in proper context. The glimpses of Xcor´s past were keypoints into really knowing the character and really getting the way Layla shifted some cogs in him. Xcor was portraited as such an intrinsically cruel character that it was kind of sweet and kind of unbelievable to see the change in him. I would have loved to see a bit more of roughness on Xcor´s part, it seemed (in some parts) that he had all the scars but none of the toughness to support them. Too much resignation on his part. The change was drastic, which I don´t know if I would have depicted in such  way but, for some reason, Ward made it work. At the beginning, I was a little lost as to why Thor was behaving in such an asshol-y manner towards Xcor, I thought that was because I purposefully skipped a book (The Beast), which I will solve promptly.  I will also state my reasons when I review said book. Back to Xcor now... I finally understood that Thor has not finished mourning Wellsie, and what a sad fact that is even though it´s not surprising. I really loved all the back stories in this book: Trey´s, Vishous´, ect. The fact that there´s a whole bunch of bastards kind of makes me hopeful we´ll be having the BDB for quite a while still and I can´t wait to discover the whole new set of bastards. 

That Quinn and Layla scene, though. Explosive. You´ll know what I mean when you read it. A typical protective animal instinct amplified by 1000% more. Exactly what one would expect from powerful male vampires and their female counterparts. LOVED IT. Blay is astounding in his scenes: I think the only logical vampire in this whole story, lol. The way he stands up to Quinn and sets him in place is absolutely heartbreaking and depicts an inner strength worthy of admiration. I didn´t like the fact that he seemed ready to give up on Quinn so easily, though. I need further explanations on those black-out rages Quinn carries, I´m hoping there´s something more than assholer-y going on, maybe some genetic disease or something because it´s a tough pill to swallow if that´s part of his personality without added bonuses. I like his straight-fowardness in fixing things up with Blay. Although, Blay should have left him groveling a bit more. 

I liked the way Layla seemed to build herself up anew and from scratch, the way she seemed to get in charge of herself and become. She was empowering at the end and had her goals set, even knowing the sacrifices she would have to make. Go Layla.

As for Vishous, I kind of understand him, and kind of don´t. That there´s even a slight doubt of the love between them is kind of scary in the sense that it sort of blows the concept of "vampire bonding" being more primal and strong than human love, completely out of the water. And it hurts. The way Vishous is thinking on this book is hurtful. Jane needs to get her head out of her ass and smell the roses. I need a Band-Aid on the next book.

 I need a Lassiter story. Soon. It´s imperative. The way Layla tried to come up with new ways to address the fallen angel was kind of hilarious. Wrath... God that king is KING. As for Throe, I bet he´s gonna spice things up in the future, can´t wait to see what the future holds for him. J. R, Ward continues to marvel me with her flawless writing, I cried, I laughed, I raged and had every feel one´s suppose to have with a good book. Overall, I give this book 4.5 inconspicuous stars.

Desperately seeking Epic - B. N. Toler

Paul James loved Clara Bateman. Hating her would have been easier.

She was the past, and he was hell-bent on keeping her there.

Or so he thought...

Craigslist Ad: DESPERATELY SEEKING EPIC

You’re my father.

I don’t know much about you. I know your name is Paul James, you’re a thrill seeker, and once upon a time you did stunts and people called you ‘Epic.’ I’ve been told you don’t know about me. That it’s complicated. But for me it’s simple. Here’s the thing: I’m twelve years old…and I’m dying. And as much as this could crush my mother, I have to meet you before I go. In time, I’m sure she’ll understand. She’s still in love with you.So, Epic, if you read this, please come back. You don’t have to be my dad. You don’t even have to tell me you love me or you’re sorry. Just come see me. 

Patiently waiting, but running out of time,

Neena

Oh my God! This story was so good! So amazingly written! I cried, I laughed, I got all the feels with it. B. N. Toler did an amazing job. Every character carefully written out to give this story the right amount of depth and lightheartedness at the same time. Such balance.

The quick and profound connection between a little girl and her estranged father, their will to make the most of their only treasured moments together. The deep love of a mother for her daughter. Her need to protect her and herself from possible heartbreak. The bonding, the unbending will and loyalty of a friend, the harsh reality of fate... it all comes together in such tender display of love, devotion and redemption.

Desperately Seeking Epic has definitely become one of my favorite reads this year. The sweet little girl, the devoted mother, the father that's been robbed of his child and the bestfriend that is always there for them all had me laughing and sobbing my way through this story. I rate it with 4.5 inconspicuous stars!

Blind Date - Emma Hart

Blind dates are the work of the devil… 

I’m a serial-one nighter, and my best friend is my inner slut. 

He’s temptation personified, and his best friend is definitely his cock. 

Carter Hughes gave me a taste of my own medicine. He wham, bam, thank you ma’amed me into oblivion, and I hell yes, oh God, right there’d him into paradise. 

I thought that would be the end—until my mother’s double booking for a consultation winds me right back up at the place I swore I’d never go again. Now I’m fighting for an interior design contract I don’t even want... Just to make a point. 

If I get it, the date won’t be the devil. 

Carter Hughes will be.  

I really liked the plot development of this book, although I did find the ending rather abrupt, it lacked... something. The author easily blended one scene to another making it an equally easy to read book. I also liked the characters' personalities, there's wit and sexiness all around and, furthermore, I liked the fact that there were no "undercurrents" of conflicting feelings: both characters knew what they felt was different even if they did not like it. It felt like an honest story, for lack of a better word. Another plus, in my honest opinion is the fact that the female protagonist was not a victim. She was not a crybaby. She was confident, hard working and knew what she wanted out of her life. 

I would have liked some sort of conflict, I'm used to the beginning, development (middle/climax) and end (denouement) structure and I felt like the middle was a little weak. The idea was good but the development could have been better in terms of plot solidity. It was definitely a fun, light, funny read and I will be checking another of her books to get a better feel on her writing. I liked the way she writes, though. I rate it with 3 inconspicuous stars.