Playing For Love- A Review

Hey all! I apologize, I'm a bit distracted this evening. I have this project going on that I'm hoping to announce sooner rather than later, but it's something I'm trying to navigate on my own and I'm getting frustrated because it's unknown territory. While I have finished my latest read early this morning, I'm just getting around to telling all of you about it now. Bear with me. Tonight, I'm reviewing Playing For Love by  J.C. Grant. This is the sequel to her debut novel, Playing for Keeps which I reviewed awhile ago. You can find that review here. 

If you are not a reader or fan of erotica, I suggest you turn back now! 

I'll be anxiously anticipating book three because here I was, happily turning pages, waiting for what was next, and, BAM! Story ends. I have so many questions, and so much has yet to happen. I not only want but NEED.. desperately NEED more of these two asap. 

David and Austin are back and are being whisked away on a private jet for their wedding. We essentially find them where we last left them, and are ready to encounter the next chapter of their lives as a couple. 
If you have read this book, or my previous review of book one, you know that these two have relationship and boundary issues. They're both massively screwed up characters and I'm not even going to pretend to understand their logic or head space, because I honestly didn't. However, I knew they had this instant connection and could work through their obstacles to reach their happily ever after. Their bond was stronger than anything that was trying to keep them apart, as long as they were willing to fight for each other. 

I tried to look past their flaws, because they each had a TON of them. David is beyond possessive, and Austin is indecisive to the point it could jeopardize their whole relationship, but when they finally do communicate (in whatever method they choose... most of the time it's sex), they make tremendous progress. What was important for me in this story was the fact they remained united when their exes of sorts kept trying to ruin their marriage. David was fiercely protective of his wife, and Austin did what she had to do in order to go to bat for her man as well. It's in those moments that they each realize what they actually mean to one another. 

These two still have a ton of work to do and a lot of issues to overcome, but I'm confident they're making strides towards one main goal to be a happy and strong couple. I can't wait to see what's next for this pair. I'm sure it will be an interesting albeit sexy adventure!

My Final Rating: four out of five stars

Stella's Awakening- A Review

Good evening, bookworms! Happy (almost) Friday! It's a rainy Thursday evening my way and it's actually matching my mood because my latest read has positively destroyed me. I figured, why not share a review and make all of you suffer with me? I think it's pretty brilliant. 

On a quick side note, I have a few projects in the works, and plan to make some announcements soon, but for now, you can find The Blabbing Bibliophile is officially on Twitter! If you have interest in anything literary, give me a follow here. 

Anyway, back to the book on deck. It's a debut novel from up-and-coming author R.K. Ryde and I am so beyond blown away, I'm sure this review won't make any sense. I love my romance novels and I adore a solid book boyfriend, but I think I have to say, if there are any sexy and steamy reads that are a MUST for 2016, Stella's Awakening is absolutely the number one for the year (on my list anyway). 

I am left absolutely shattered by this story. Conrad and Stella have thoroughly ruined any heart I thought I may have! I can't tell you how close I am to hopping a plane from the States out to Australia to beg and plead Ryde for book two right this very instant because I'm so distraught!! I need answers, and I absolutely need more of this couple! She could write twenty plus books about these two and I'll still need more. 

I tried as best as I could to savor the pages of this stunning tale, but I wound up having zero control and wound up devouring all 495 pages in less than a 48 hour period. 

Stella Welsch is a thriving name in the interior design world. Her business and client list is ever-expanding, but her success came at a price. Being raised as a sheltered Jehovah's Witness, her education and independence aren't necessarily looked upon with unwavering pride. 

Conrad Adams is a mogul and one of Australia's most eligible bachelors. When he spots Miss Welsch window-shopping at Tiffany's with her usual morning coffee, he knows instantly that he wants her in any way he can possess her. Striking up a business deal for an office makeover, the two become friendly on a professional level, but before it can cross a line into any gray areas, Stella takes a step back and cuts ties with the Adonis. Her devout beliefs frown on much of what Conrad is looking for; true love and a soul mate. It doesn't seem like too much to ask, but for Stella, she could lose everything she's ever known.

In a moment of weakness, Stella finds herself contacting Conrad for help. Her head and her heart are conflicted and it's all down (or up) hill from here on out. The pair have a walk and a heart-to-heart and become inseparable. Conrad is patient and attentive with Stella while she teaches him about her past and the demons she's been hiding for years. Through mutual respect and time spent understanding one another's boundaries, their feelings escalate relatively quickly, and life becomes a fairy tale for the two. 

Unfortunately, the other shoe has to drop. I had a feeling something was lurking in the depths, but all Hell broke loose and I was left wanting to scream in the middle of my office. Hence my heart going bye-bye. 

I don't remember the last time I met a man as enamored as Conrad was with Stella. He is gentle, kind, patient, and fiercely protective of her delicate innocence and I couldn't help but swoon over him for looking out for her. It made me glad to know how instantly devoted she was to him as well. When it came to their partnership, she was united with him and never questioned her morals. Yes, her inner voices battled it out on occasion, but never to the point she ran scared or frightened from his presence. She was bold, brave, and inquisitive about how worldly people like Conrad dealt with relationships. Her willingness to learn made it so easy for them to fall head-over-heels so quickly. 

I also learned a great deal about her Witness lifestyle, and knew that would be the couples main obstacle. I knew little about the belief but knew it was a strict practice. The intricate politics behind the scenes were uncomfortable to deal with since I felt protective of Stella as well. I just wanted to see her and Conrad happy, but with her family and church community having such strong convictions, the pair knew an attempt at bliss would come at a price neither of them wanted to pay. 

My heart aches for them both individually, and as a couple. I'm scrambling for book two because I have so many unanswered questions! Ryde did a fantastic job of tearing my heart out  and leaving splinters when it came to these two, both in their good moments as bad. I'm left speechless as to convey my emotions properly. I'm clouded, and in an absolute funk until I get book two in my hands. 

My Final Rating: five out of five stars

Cupcake- A Review

This was a very cute (and steamy) read. Meeting Gray and Pippa was an absolute treat, pun intended! They're both workaholics, and neither are looking for a relationship or to be tied down and nagged, until they meet each other, and the chemistry flies off the charts. They try to keep things as casual as possible, but they know it won't last. Within days, they know they need each other more than the air they breathe. If you're looking for a sweet treat to take up some time on a lovely afternoon,Hey again, bibliophiles! I know... another review. I'm so sorry (not really). I've been burning through books lately and have to post my reviews because if I let them sit for a day or two, they'll just get backed up and then you'll REALLY be bombarded by bookish reviews!  Anyway, it's been a slow(er) day at the office, so in my spare time, I decided on a new read, and settled on this sweet novella by M. Andrews. As I've stated earlier, my TBR is beyond stacked up. Whether they're tangible books on my shelves, or on my iBooks or Kindle apps, I'm overwhelmed, which means, I've been having the toughest time trying to decide what to read next (I really need to get on that jar idea already). I took a night to sleep on a few top choices I had, and finally settled on cracking the cover of Cupcake. This was a very cute (and beyond steamy) read! Meeting Grayson and Pippa was an absolute treat, pun intended! He's a rookie football player for the Boston Minutemen, and she's the brains and beauty behind Pippa's Just Desserts. They're both workaholics, and neither are looking for a relationship or to be tied down and nagged, until they meet each other. The chemistry flies off the charts. They try to keep things as casual as possible, in order to satisfy their mutual sparks, but they know it won't last and that something more is sizzling below the surface. Within days, they know they need each other more than the air they breathe, and decide to REALLY commit to one another. If you're looking for a sweet treat to take up some time on a lovely afternoon, go indulge in these two! They'll make you see the decadence of desserts in a whole new light! My Final Rating: four out of five stars