Review

Not Negotiable: A Trident Security Series Novella - Book 3.5 - Samantha Cole

This story though not a direct Trident team book is about a much loved extra character Shelby, we have seen bits of her in all three previous books. The reasons she joined the club are bittersweet, the same with Parker. Both have stuff they have to deal with, him its family, her its having survived the big C. Both like each other, he has tried several times to play with her but Shelby keeps him at a distance. She knows she would want more with him but doesn't feel she can give him what he deserves, when something unexpected happens and he finds out, then that gives him a reason to step in. Parts of this story are a bit sad, but the true story really is about courage. Cancer is a horrible disease in every form, the strength of character to fight back as well as overcome it shows true bravery. With her friends, the Team and Parker helping Shelby find some peace and happiness can she finally have the love she deserves. Parker as well knows nothing but being a disappointment to his family, even though he has made a success of his own growing business. We don't have the chases across states, the tension of lives being risked to save others, instead we have this inspiring story of battle and survival of one of the biggest killers. These two creep into your heart and lodge deep.

Review

8:35 pm 9 December 2017

Topping the Alpha: Trident Security Series - Samantha Cole

This story give us an insight into a slightly different type of BDSM relationship, Male Dom/ Male Sub.
But not just any Sub, Nick is still an Active Seal, he is also not actively in the lifestyle. I love Nick he is strong, has a mind of his own and though willing to Submit to Jake while they play still expects to be treated as an equal in normal daily life. He puts up with a lot from Jake giving him time to work his issues out, being patient and listening when needed. Jake is a Dom with big problems from his past, he hasn't spoken about them to anyone hiding not only the scars on his back but the internal ones . Jake might be a Dom but is actually the weaker of the two, his vulnerabilities causing uncertainty and doubt. Jake brought out my mothering instincts, I wanted to wrap him up in a hug. Although there is sex in this story its almost minor to everything else going on, with Jake's history plus helping and trying to protect a teenage girl from an abusive father who's trying to kill her. Ian is up to something as well with secret meetings going on, as well as the new team gradually integrating into the missions. There is some violence in parts but nothing to excessive or out of proportion to the happenings in the story. This series continues to grip and enthral me, the characters weaving their way into my heart as they each find their loves, their soul mates.

Review

8:32 pm 9 December 2017

His Angel (Trident Security #2) - Samantha Cole

This was given for an honest review.
I love strong alpha males, what I love even more are those that have their vulnerabilities. Ian has these qualities, he is also a Dom. Can Angie soften him up and dig in deep, give him the love and stability he has always wanted. She is giving, loving and trusting, she also loves the Dom/Sub lifestyle. With her best friend under cover and in possible danger, the guys are tasked with watching over her, but Ian already wants more. Kidnap, violence, worry and tension are just a few of the issues dealt with in this story. You also have more from the BDSM club and some action there. A few unexpected twists and some sadness as well which I didn't like, because of what happens. This is a great series with a nice mix of subject matter and I'm moving on to number three, it is actually great to be able to carry on straight with the next in a series instead of having to wait for the next one to be released.

Review Reblogged

6:45 pm 9 December 2017

Arc for an honest review.
Elsie is tough when it comes to the "Gators" but not when it comes to men, having been hurt twice before she is just not interested.
Dale is strong in all things until Elsie.
This is mostly a sweet love story but there is nothing that is completely smooth sailing. With an escapee "Gator" and a women who is spiteful in the extreme, there is much more than just falling in love. Not a very long book but plenty of content to get you and keep you interested and wanting more of this family of siblings, each is a great character and they have a fantastic bond with each other.
The "Gators in the stories are characters in their own right, often up to mischief, their antics are funny though I wouldn't want to be face to face with one.
I do like that Esther has some humour added in this series as well as the drama, it makes it fun reading and not all deep and serious. The sex scenes are not to explicit or detailed, but enough to be good and natural.
I have enjoyed all Esther's books but I must say this series is some of her best work, keeping an even balance between the drama, love and some humour isn't that easy to do, but she has mastered it in these and that is what helps to make them fantastic reading.

Reblogged from Lucky 13 Book Reviews And News

Review

6:19 pm 9 December 2017

Only short but I loved this story of love and croc wrestling. Cyrus has been away from the swamps of his real home, he grew up there. Coming home unexpected events happen to change everything, he meets Bertie. The croc farm that she runs has hit some snags, her brother is causing problems and her Pa isn't much help either. I love the notion of almost instant love and a chemistry that is almost like an electric shock to the system, being swept away by it and being consumed. Cyrus is a strong, big, independent guy who is feeling a bit jaded with life and just wants to come back to his roots. I loved seeing this macho guy show his vulnerable side and not be afraid to do so. Bertie has had to be the strong one in her family, losing her mum hit hard. She is carrying on with her mothers dream, they both love crocs and had worked side by side, now scarred by one of the biggest she carry's on with some help. Because this story is only short you don't get the long drawn out get to know you, it doesn't really give you a lot of background or a chance to get to know or meet the other characters around them, but it is a sweet loving romance. I cant wait for the rest of this series and though it is short I still feel it is worth buying and reading, it is ideal for reading during a flight or weekend break. There is no cliff hanger so although the series is based around Cyrus family it can be read alone, so you do not have to be tied to reading them all unless you want to.

Review

6:16 pm 9 December 2017

Yet another fantastic read from Esther, I am loving these guys from Arion MC. Hot, tough, def Alpha but underneath there is this softness for their women. They fall fast and hard when they meet "The One", there is no hesitation in claiming them. But it would be boring if there wasn't something to complicate the straight smooth sailing love affair between these couples, threats and demands for money are amongst the twists in this story. We also get glimpses of future stories from other characters and some awesome news. Tyler comes across as a nice down to earth guy, he does what he has to when it comes to keeping the club guys and ol ladies safe but otherwise is a quiet gentle type of guy. Riddley is quite surprising, strong and capable in her business, her weakness is family. The MC step up to help, men and women alike, if one is threatened then they feel they all are. I love that in some cases it is the women that take charge in some areas of their relationships, not just letting the guys rule. Well written with a nice flow, enough content to get your teeth into and characters to fall in love with.

Review

6:12 pm 9 December 2017

Arc for an honest review.
Elsie is tough when it comes to the "Gators" but not when it comes to men, having been hurt twice before she is just not interested.
Dale is strong in all things until Elsie.
This is mostly a sweet love story but there is nothing that is completely smooth sailing. With an escapee "Gator" and a women who is spiteful in the extreme, there is much more than just falling in love. Not a very long book but plenty of content to get you and keep you interested and wanting more of this family of siblings, each is a great character and they have a fantastic bond with each other.
The "Gators in the stories are characters in their own right, often up to mischief, their antics are funny though I wouldn't want to be face to face with one.
I do like that Esther has some humour added in this series as well as the drama, it makes it fun reading and not all deep and serious. The sex scenes are not to explicit or detailed, but enough to be good and natural.
I have enjoyed all Esther's books but I must say this series is some of her best work, keeping an even balance between the drama, love and some humour isn't that easy to do, but she has mastered it in these and that is what helps to make them fantastic reading.

Review

6:09 pm 9 December 2017

Oh my gosh! straight in and full on read, hot, so hot it makes you squirm. Strong characters that you fall in love with from the first page, Frederick comes across as brash and take no prisoners at the start but Taryn gives as good as she gets. Sparks over the phone lead to fireworks in person at the beginning, it made me chuckle how she answers him back and how much he loves that she does that to him. The Horses sound absolutely gorgeous and with such great empathy to Taryn and then Frederick. Taryn has suffered such loss and grief, surprisingly not really standing up to the bully. I want to say so much about this book but promised no spoilers so I cant, you will just have to buy and read for yourselves you wont be sorry. There is sexual content based on BDSM, but nothing to excessive. Esther I think this is my favourite book so far, each book is better than the one before and I love them all this just tops the list. I feel very honoured to have been chosen as an early reader for this book especially as I was impatient to read it, so thank you its awesome.

Review

6:05 pm 9 December 2017

Free copy for an honest review.
OMG, Broke. To overcome such a horrendous assault, to live with the affects. Then to meet someone that not only looks past it but mends him. I can only imagine the feelings of inadequacy that a man would suffer and how that would influence his whole life. It made me angry and hurt for him to know how he had gone through something like that, then to meet Roan coming to her rescue when hurt. She is loving, strong and a bit sassy exactly what Broke needs. With instant attraction and a need to protect this is a full on relationship from the get go. I love these two, they are so in sinc with each other and very strong in there bonding. This story is heart warming, loving and emotional. It is also about different types of abuse and the violence behind them, the long term harm that is left as a result. Esther as always never fails to deliver a story to draw her readers in and keep them coming back for more, having us fall in love with each and every character in her books. Each story unique in the different subject matter and dealt with in an informed, knowledgeable way. Definitely worth reading.

Review

5:59 pm 9 December 2017

reviewer was given an early copy for an honest review.
all is not what it seems with this story, an underlying mystery. I was riveted to this I could not put it down, it picks up where "Zack" ends and I personally feel you need to read that first. you get the background and relationship of some of the main characters as they follow through into "Deeds", and a feel for the story. this is MC with a difference, on the surface its what you expect. there's still fights, rules, bikes, drinking and competition. the sex is very intense and hot, almost consuming. you also get the inking and piercing side, the patches. Deeds is a hot alpha with an MMA background but he has a reaction to Lynn that sees his softer side, you almost expect this couple to combust the spark is so strong. there is a very good background mystery to this which gives it an added edge, its a subject that's horrifying but oh so true of things that happen in this day and age. reading this are on the edge of your seat at times, ducking to miss bullets because the author truly brings the scenes to life. you can see and in some cases smell them, the writing is very vivid, the colours, the sounds and smells are described so well. I loved this book, it made me think and feel, I was almost as consumed as the characters I was reading about, to the point of having a headache when I finished because I was just so in the story I couldn't stop to take a break. it followed me for a while into sleep, the story going round in my head. so good and I cant wait for "Broke" he's up next

Review

5:56 pm 9 December 2017

	January 29, 2017 – Finished Reading January 28, 2017 – Started Reading
Review	I am astounded every single time I pick up one of Esther's books, every single time she gives me a read to get lost in, to feel every emotion while reading it and to be just a little lost when I finish. All this is a sign of a fantastic author, I also know as a fan she usually is writing 3 or 4 books at a time going back and fourth as the characters speak to her. This is Depay's story, now we know from the end of Broke's book that he found out he had a young daughter and has just got full custody. The first day she fell in a pond and nearly drowned, rescued by a young women Niki. Her and Depay had a hot interlude when he took her home, now the story picks up a few weeks on. Depay is loving, caring, hot and pretty much everything you could wish for in a guy as well as an awesome father who has put himself out to learn how to care for his deaf little girl. He regrets that he didn't know about her before or that he wasn't involved in the pregnancy or birth, so when he finds out in an unexpected way that he is to be a father again he is all in, in every way possible. That he has already fallen in a massive way for the women is just icing on the cake, he just needs her to understand and give him a chance. With loads of other stuff going on as well from various directions this is full on excitement and tension, plus lots of love and support all round from Deed's Broke and their Ol'Ladies. I loved, loved, LOVED it. Where Broke literally broke my heart, Depay had me falling in love with him from the first page, Niki as well is loving, caring and funny in many ways. She definitely brings out the Alpha male side of Depay, all the possessiveness comes to the forefront. All the meal preparation is so funny, and those hormones well! what can I say she had me chuckling away. There is some sadness to this story as well that just wrenches your heart, even though out of that does come some joy for someone else. All in all this is just one of those books that will stay with me for a while, I cant let go just yet. (less)

Review

5:48 pm 9 December 2017

Zack (Areion Fury MC #1)
by Esther E. Schmidt (Goodreads Author)

Wendy Hodges's review

Nov 13, 2015 · edit

it was amazing

I absolutely loved this, Zack is great. he might be a badass biker but he is in deep with Belle, always has been. Belle has been through a lot, losing her whole family and coming back to the only people she has left, her friends. although this is a biker story with the usual stuff associated with such a story, there are some light hearted moments that make you chuckle. its also nice to have 2 bikers mc clubs get together to sort out a problem and end up almost friends, sometimes its worth it for the greater cause. I look forward to the next books in this series, will def be following this author

Wendy Hodges's review

Nov 13, 2015 · edit

it was amazing

I absolutely loved this, Zack is great. he might be a badass biker but he is in deep with Belle, always has been. Belle has been through a lot, losing her whole family and coming back to the only people she has left, her friends. although this is a biker story with the usual stuff associated with such a story, there are some light hearted moments that make you chuckle. its also nice to have 2 bikers mc clubs get together to sort out a problem and end up almost friends, sometimes its worth it for the greater cause. I look forward to the next books in this series, will def be following this author

Review

5:43 pm 9 December 2017

Corban: Wicked Throttle MC #0.5 - Esther E. Schmidt

I actually read this as part of the anthology, but it was so good that I wanted to add a separate review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the first of this MC to fall and boy did he fall! I am never let down by any of Esther E Schmidt's books, they always deliver everything I want in a great story that keeps me reading and always wanting the next book before she can finish them. Whether you buy the anthology or buy this on its own you will not feel it is wasted time, I did enjoy the other books in the set and a few stood out but I must say this was my favourite of all of them.

Review

5:38 pm 9 December 2017

Reviews > Dams

Dams (Areion Fury MC #2)
by Esther E. Schmidt (Goodreads Author)

Wendy Hodges's review

Nov 13, 2015 · edit

it was amazing

This was an Arc copy for an honest review.
I don't know how the author does it but each book is better than the last, and that's hard because I loved the others in this tandem series. Both the Areion Fury series and the Broken Deeds series, run separately but also linked together by a family member, both series are hard-hitting covering some serious issues. You have violence, strong language, women being snatched or used as a barter. These are bikers so obviously you get the bikes and the lifestyle that comes with it, but this story in particular is much more than that. Dams falls hard and fast for Nerd, but she has major problems due to her father's treatment of her and her mother and her mothers death. He was also an Areion biker and wasn't nice in any way shape or form, so Dams has his work cut out to convince her he is nothing like that. Its not all heavy and dark, we get some really good light moments where you find yourself chuckling. It also leads the way for the start of the next story up in the series, Esther weaves a tale that keeps you reading gripping and holding you from start to finish and leaving you wanting more immediately. I have no hesitation in recommending these reads to anyone, even those that have never read an MC book before there is nothing not to like.

Review

Release by J.S. Scott

1:42 pm 13 April 2016

Wendy Hodges's Reviews > Release!: A Walker Brothers Novel

Release!: A Walker Brothers Novel (The Walker Brothers Book 1)
by J.S. Scott (Goodreads Author)

Wendy Hodges's review

Apr 13, 16 · edit

it was amazing

Read on April 12, 2016

First book in a new series for J.S. Scott and what a first it is, Eva is desperate about to lose her home, with no money left, no job either. Trace has worked hard continuing to build the business his father started, also trying to hang on to his two brothers who seem determined to distance themselves. When these two meet, you feel like its almost a homecoming. They click, both of them need each other in slightly different ways. I loved that both had their own strengths but also weaknesses, so it worked well that a weakness for him was a strength for her and vice versa. I connected with both these characters feeling their highs and lows as I was reading, a sign of a great author is when that happens. Getting involved in the story to the point it touches you, has you chuckling or crying, screaming or even getting aroused. This did it with me, I love to completely lose myself body and soul emersing all of me in my reading. I read until quite late because I just had to finish it before I went to sleep, I couldn't not.

Review

Trouble Maker by Liliana Hart

7:14 pm 12 April 2016

Wendy Hodges's Reviews > Trouble Maker

Trouble Maker (The MacKenzie Family #11.5)
by Liliana Hart (Goodreads Author)

Wendy Hodges's review

Apr 12, 16 · edit

it was amazing

Read from April 10 to 11, 2016

Amazing, I loved it. Great addition to the series, this couple are so good together. Poor Marnie has had a really crap life, the only love she had was from the family and Beckett. She has always felt different because of her gift, made to feel it was a bad thing. Then add that and her talent being exploited, losing the bulk of her money in the process. She goes back to the only place she found any love, and tries to find peace. This story truly tugs at the heartstrings, it makes you think about how cruel people can be, not just as kids but as adults. I loved getting more of the MacKenzie family, and Shane's story is up next, I know that's going to be a tearjerker.

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Reviews > Dams

Wendy Hodges's Reviews > Release!: A Walker Brothers Novel

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