Audiobook Series Review: Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy by E.L. James

Titles: Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed

Book Series: Fifty Shades

Author: E.L. James (Twitter)

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Erotica, BDSM

Format: Audiobook (Book #1 | Book #2 | Book #3)

Narrator: Becca Batoe (Audible)

Reading Challenges: 2015 Goodreads Challenge, 2015 Audiobook Challenge, 2015 MGR Audiobook Challenge

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY: When college student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly Ana realizes she wants this man, and Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian’s secrets and explores her own desires.

FIFTY SHADES DARKER: Daunted by Christian’s dark secrets and singular tastes, Ana has broken off their relationship to start a new career. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and while Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Ana is forced to make the most important decision of her life.

FIFTY SHADES FREED: Now, Ana and Christian have it all—love, passion, intimacy, wealth, and a world of possibilities for their future. But Ana knows that loving her Fifty Shades will not be easy, and that being together will pose challenges that neither of them would anticipate. Just when it seems that their strength together will eclipse any obstacle, misfortune, malice, and fate conspire to turn Ana’s deepest fears into reality.

This book is intended for mature audiences.

For a while, I'll admit, I hopped "Fifty Shades Hate" bandwagon. Thinking, ermahgerd S&M and originally Twilight fanfiction??? No way I'm reading that! But so many people were talking about it and then there was the movie... I got curious. Setting my Twilight and S&M prejudgments aside, I dove in. In the end, my mind was changed. I love Christian, I like Ana and I love all their kinky fuckery. Yep, I said it!!!

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 02/16/15

Hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey

This meme shares what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week. It’s a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read list.

• Cover Characteristic: Vegetarian/Vegan
• Audiobook Review: Storm (The SYLO Chronicles #2) by D.J. MacHale
• It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 02/09/15
• Making Up for Monday: Most Hated School Reads
• "Waiting On" Wednesday: The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire (Half Moon Hollow #3) by Molly Harper
• Book Beginnings & The Friday 56: The Martian by Andy Weir

It’s Monday What Are You Reading?: 02/02/15

Hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey

This meme shares what we read this past week and what our plans are for the upcoming week. It’s a great way to see what others are reading and add to your own To Be Read list.

• Cover Characteristic: Bunnies/Rabbits
• Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Love to Read With My Book Club
• "Waiting On" Wednesday: The Fold by Peter Clines
• Book Beginnings & The Friday 56: How to Run with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
• Book Blogger Hop: Jan 30th - Feb 5th - Author Comments

Audioook Review: Hillbilly Rockstar (Blacktop Cowboys, Book #6) by Lorelei James (ADULT)

Title: Hillbilly Rockstar

Book Series: Blacktop Cowboys, Book #6

Author: Lorelei James (Twitter)

Genres: Erotica, Western Romance

Format: Audiobook (Amazon | Audible)

Narrator: Scarlet Chase

Length: 11 hours & 50 minutes

Length: August 5, 2014

Length: 2015 Goodreads Challenge, 2015 Audiobook Challenge

She’s protecting his body and guarding her heart...

Country music star Devin McClain never imagined he'd attract crazed fans who would do anything to garner his attention. When veiled threats become real, he agrees to hire a discreet security detail. But Devin is shocked to find that the bodyguard is a hard-bodied woman and that he's attracted to the steely-eyed stunner.

Former soldier Liberty Masterson’s return to civilian life has been wrought with challenges until she lands a job with a prestigious security firm. But when she agrees to provide personal protection during a cross-country tour, she doesn’t realize she has signed up to masquerade as the playboy star’s girlfriend. Though she’s more comfortable in combat boots than high heels, she has no choice but to appear to be the sexy groupie Devin prefers.

Living in close quarters causes the chemistry between them to ignite, and Devin realizes he wants to turn their charade of a romance into reality. Although Liberty surrenders to his every whim behind closed doors, she fears the sexy country star doesn’t see the real her; and Devin can’t help but worry when the tour ends that there might not be enough between them to build something that won’t fade away...

Top Ten Tuesday: FREEBIE (My Favorite Series)

Top Ten Tuesday is weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish, as they are "particularly fond of lists".

This Week's Topic:

FREEBIE (My Favorite Series)

My Answer:

For this freebie post, I've decided to cover a topic I never tire of discussing — my favorite series. As of today, these are My Top Ten Most-Beloved Series, in descending order, with my favorite series listed first. No surprises if you've visited my blog, it's The Dresden Files. Each series is represented by my favorite book so far; so at the same time, beware of spoilers:

COLD DAYS
Book Series:: The Dresden Files, Book #14
Author:: Jim Butcher (Twitter)
Genre(s):: Urban Fantasy, Mystery

HARRY DRESDEN LIVES!!!

After being murdered by a mystery assailant, navigating his way through the realm between life and death, and being brought back to the mortal world, Harry realizes that maybe death wasn’t all that bad. Because he is no longer Harry Dresden, Chicago’s only professional wizard.

He is now Harry Dresden, Winter Knight to Mab, the Queen of Air and Darkness. After Harry had no choice but to swear his fealty, Mab wasn’t about to let something as petty as death steal away the prize she had sought for so long. And now, her word is his command, no matter what she wants him to do, no matter where she wants him to go, and no matter who she wants him to kill.

Guess which Mab wants first?

Of course, it won’t be an ordinary, everyday assassination. Mab wants her newest minion to pull off the impossible: kill an immortal. No problem there, right? And to make matters worse, there exists a growing threat to an unfathomable source of magic that could land Harry in the sort of trouble that will make death look like a holiday.

Beset by enemies new and old, Harry must gather his friends and allies, prevent the annihilation of countless innocents, and find a way out of his eternal subservience before his new found powers claim the only thing he has left to call his own…

His soul.

Why I Love It:: I discovered this series on Audible, so James Marsters gets a lot of the credit. I loved him on Buffy the Vampire Slayer as Spike, so when I saw his name as the narrator, I picked it up immediately. I'd never heard of The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher, and embarrassingly enough, a few years back I didn't really read many books by men (sexist much, I know. I'm not sure why). Anyway, after the first book I was in love and marathoned through about 6 books back-to-back. I've listened to the full series to date at least 4 times in the past 2-3 years. Crazy right.

Audiobook Loyal:: I'd also bring up the concept of being "audiobook loyal". Which means, for this series, it's audiobook only. For me, James is Harry. I do have a signed copy of Skin Game, I just am not sure if I'll ever read it. 

      

Cover Characteristic: Brides/Weddings

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Cover Characteristic: Men in Uniform

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Cover Characteristic: The Beginning (First Books In A Series)

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Cover Characteristic: Stilettos

Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. 

Book Review: Turn and Burn (Blacktop Cowboys, Book #5) by Lorelei James (ADULT)

Title: Turn and Burn

Book Series: Blacktop Cowboys, Book #5 (Facebook)
Author: Lorelei James (Twitter  |  Facebook)

Genres: Erotica, Western Romance

Format: Audiobook (Audible)

Narrator: Scarlet Chase

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Release Date: April 15, 2014

Tanna Barker is a world champion barrel racer. But her personal life has been less of a success, and she’s feeling adrift. After her mother’s unexpected death, her father has remarried, and sold the Texas ranch she called home. Now a rodeo injury has left the restless spitfire holed up in Muddy Gap, unsure what her next move should be.

Until she meets her match in a wild, wild cowboy

Veterinarian August Fletcher has always put his job first. He’s never found a woman who could handle his on-the-road lifestyle. But when sassy, sexy Tanna blows into town, he finally finds the woman of his fantasies. And there’s something between them, but she claims she’s been burned by love ’em and leave ’em road dogs before. How can Fletch prove that he’s in it for the long haul, and that their sizzling relationship is better than winning any rodeo medal? It’ll take some sweet persuasion to convince Tanna that Muddy Gap is where she belongs. 

My Ranking:

FIRST IMPRESSION:: My first impression of this book wasn't greatest. I don't think I was in the right frame of mind for romance, because I read about 25% and then put it down for a few months. But — my girl Lorelei has never let me down, so I picked it back up and started over from the beginning...

Cover Characteristic – Fairytales Retold

Each week we will post a characteristic and choose 5 of our favorite cover’s with that characteristic. If you want to join in and share your 5 favorite covers with the weeks particular characteristic, then just make a post, grab the meme picture (or make your own) and leave your URL here or over at Sugar & Snark.

My Picks This Week:

"Waiting On" Wednesday: Hillbilly Rockstar by Lorelei James

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights eagerly-anticipated upcoming releases. Click the link to participate.

My Pick This Week: 

Book Title: Hillbilly Rockstar

Author: Lorelei James

Book Series: Hillbilly Rockstar (Blacktop Cowboys #6)

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Western

Release Date: August 5, 2014

Country music star Devin McClain understands there’s a downside to life in the public eye, but the laidback Wyoming cowboy has never imagined he’d attract crazed fans who would do anything to garner his attention. When veiled threats become real, he agrees to hire a discreet security detail. But Devin is shocked when that bodyguard is a hard-bodied woman. He’s even more stunned to be attracted to the steely-eyed stunner.

Former soldier Liberty Masterson’s return to civilian life has been wrought with challenges until she lands a job with a prestigious security firm. But when she agrees to provide personal protection during a cross-country tour, she doesn’t realize she has signed up to masquerade as the playboy star’s girlfriend. Though she’s more comfortable in combat boots than high heels, she has no choice but to appear to be the sexy groupie Devin prefers.

Living in close quarters causes the chemistry between them to ignite, and Devin realizes he wants to turn their charade of a romance into reality. Although Liberty surrenders to his every whim behind closed doors, she fears the sexy country star doesn’t see the real her; and Devin can’t help but worry when the tour ends that there might not be enough between them to build something that won’t fade away...

This has been a much beloved series, so I'm always going to want to read the next. I've been curious about this superstar cowboy since he's popped up a time or two in previous books.

Book Review: One Night Rodeo by Lorelei James

Book Series: Blacktop Cowboys, Book #4
Author: Lorelei James
Genres:  Western, Erotica, Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Scarlet Chase
Length: 9 hrs and 50 mins

My Ranking:

In the rodeo arena, all you have to worry about is surviving. But in the arena of love and ecstasy, things get much more complicated.

Lainie Capshaw has been servicing injured cowboys long enough to know that a charming Western drawl combined with a fine physical form doesn't mean you should fall for a man. As a sports therapist, she travels the rodeo circuits patching up riders - and fending off their sweet-talking, swaggering advances.

So no one is more surprised than Lainie when she finds herself involved with not one, but two different men on different circuits. Hank Lawson, a bullfighter, and Kyle Gilchrist, a bull rider trying to stage a comeback. Lainie feels guilty about her two-timing, but it doesn't keep her from doubling her fun -until Hank catches her with Kyle.

She's shocked that Hank isn't mad. She's more shocked to learn Hank and Kyle are hometown buddies. But when the men offer to share her - she knows that both of them are going to try to win her, body and soul. Now it's up to Lainie to choose the one man who can give her the ride of her life.(less)

Even with your favorite authors, you're never going to love everything. This is the first Blacktop Cowboys story that I found only okay. This book hit upon my dislike of some of James's female lead characters. However, to be honest, I never really liked Celia to begin with. There was just something about her flighty, flirty nature that just turned me off. It didn't get any better when she was the focus.

Usually, my intense like of the male leads can override my dislike of the females and allow me to enjoy the story as a whole. Not this time. What's strange is that I liked Kyle - or, at least,  Kyle in Corralled. He was less ... angsty. He was such a strong character in Corralled and even took his rejection from Laney in an impressive way. But this story - with this mother, father and Celia - I didn't get the same vibe from him.

 A big complaint was that they story was very, very unrealistic. Everything just fell in their laps. Kyle's broke? No problem,  here's an inheritance. Kyle love ranchin' and always wanted one - here's a ranch from the Daddy you never knew you had! Kyle and Celia want a future together, so poof, man/woman of your dreams. Perhaps that last one being too harsh because them ending up together has been hinted a bit. Overall, there was too much of a cause and effect plotline. Yes, yes, I know that's how stories go, but not with James. The other books in the series felt more organic. In fact, I love these stories because of their realism. Nothing ever felt like a soap opera; hell, even the first book's ménage à trois felt more natural.

Meh on this one. Still a Blacktop Cowboy's fan. Even though I thought Kyle could take the top spot in which Blacktop Cowboy I loved the most, it's still Renner Jackson all the way. Then Bran, then Hank... then Kyle. Girls follow same path of "like". Tierney, Harper and so on and so forth (though I'd Jainie is last - didn't like her one bit).

The tiny speck of a town called Muddy Gap, Wyoming, has captured a special place in my heart. But this book was my least favorite.

Scarlet Chase is fantastic. She's got a great drawl but still speaks clear. She also is excellent at capturing the masculinity of these charming cowboys. Her performance enhanced my enjoyment of the story so much that I decided to stay "audiobook-loyal" to this series and will not read the printed version.

Book Review: Wrangled and Tangled by Lorelei James

Book Series: Blacktop Cowboys, Book #2
Author: Lorelei James
Genres:  Western, Erotica, Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Scarlet Chase
Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

My Ranking:

Wrangling a sweet-talkin’ cowboy can be dangerous business...

The West was not so wild for Janie Fitzhugh. Living with her rancher husband, Abe Lawson, in rural Wyoming nearly broke her spirit, so she left. But eight years later, she returns to Muddy Gap to take a job at a new resort. When an unexpected danger arises, Abe seizes the chance to protect Janie and prove he’s a changed man.

Janie’s employer at the Split Rock Ranch and Resort, Renner Jackson, has gotten himself tangled up in a devil’s bargain trying to finish the construction. His new partner’s daughter, Tierney Pratt, is a spoiled daddy’s girl and off-limits–no matter how drop-dead gorgeous she is. But Tierney’s got her own secret reasons for keeping the rough-and-tumble cowboy at a distance.

When things get down and dirty at the resort, Abe and Renner must saddle up and fight to rope in the women they can’t imagine living without...

DING, DING, DING, WE HAVE A WINNER!!!! James hit her stride with this one! Renner Jackson. Wow, just wow. Everything about him oozed charm and sexiness. When he first popped up in the series, I was only marginally intrigued. So you can imagine I was extremely happy to get to know more of his sexy self! I really enjoyed his back story, as well.

And then, there's Tierney. Finally - a woman I connected with. I really understood Tierney. Also, a girl who gave back just as much as these alpha men give ... and then some. Renner and Tierney have the best chemistry out of all of the couples in the series so far - and maybe out of all of James' characters. They do hot and cold so, so well.

Like I mentioned, I connected with Tierney a lot. Especially her late bloomer/virgin storyline. She wasn't all unsure or timid or scared (besides the typical), but someone who just waited until it felt right. Too many people pity - or tease - people who lose their virginity "later" in life. But hey - not everyone just got it over with. James handled Tierney respectfully in this respect and I appreciated it.

As for Janie and Abe... meh. It was a cool story about a former husband and wife getting a second shot. But again, I didn't connect with Janie at all. She made me angry a bit with how she carried herself. I did like Abe, though ... but, that's expected because all of James' cowboys are hot, hot hot! And also his big secret was quite a surprise, but that's all I'll say.

I really liked all of the Split Rock backstory, too. It was interesting to see how the resort came together and how Tierney was brought in as representing the financial end. I hadn't had any exposure to any business dealing like that before. So hey, I learned something - bonus!

This one was funny, heartwarming and was really hot. It was my absolute favorite Blacktop Cowboy's story. I can't wait for Kyle's story. He's one of my favorite guys and deserves a good woman who appreciates him. Hopefully, that's what's in store.

The tiny speck of a town called Muddy Gap, Wyoming holds a special place in my heart. This is one of my favorite series and this book was my absolute favorite. 5 stars, James. It's perfect!

Scarlet Chase is fantastic. She's got a great drawl but still speaks clear. She also is excellent at capturing the masculinity of these charming cowboys. Her performance enhanced my enjoyment of the story so much that I decided to stay "audiobook-loyal" to this series and will not read the printed version.

Book Review: Saddled and Spurred by Lorelei James

Book Series: Blacktop Cowboys, Book #2
Author: Lorelei James
Genres:  Western, Erotica, Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Scarlet Chase
Length: 9 hrs and 15 mins

My Ranking:

This beauty is no greenhorn - and she's about to rope the man of her dreams.

Cattleman Bran Turner is left shorthanded during busy calving season when a bull tramples his hired hand. Rural Wyoming isn't exactly a hotbed of qualified candidates, and the only applicant for the position is the pampered town beauty, Harper Masterson. The curvy cowgirl gets under Bran's skin at every turn, but with no other options, he reluctantly hires her.

When sexual sparks ignite, down-on-her-luck Harper enjoys convincing Bran that not only is she capable of pulling calves, feeding livestock, and handling backbreaking ranch chores, but she doesn't mind getting down and dirty, either. Harper also discovers the hot-bodied cowboy isn't all work and no horseplay...and he's got more than a few tricks up his sleeve.

Bran will learn quickly that Harper is no country mouse-and that she might just have what it takes to stick around for the long haul.

As it stated above, the quick gist of this story is that an unlikely pair come together to help each other... in various ways. Former beauty queen Harper Masterson needs a job and cattle rancher Bran Turner is a man down during the ranch's busiest season. Though they're both unsure about the situation, they're equally desperate. So, Harper becomes Bran's new ranch hand... and the mutual attraction begins to smolder shortly after...

I loved Bran Turner. Thus far, he's my favorite cowboy of the series. There was just something about his quiet temperament in his dealings with others and his take-charge bedroom behavior that was so sexy. It's like the masculine version of "...lady on the streets, freak in the sheets". I tend like "the show" more than "the tell"... and boy, did he show!

I liked Harper. This was a first, because truthfully I haven't liked many of the women in James's stories. But I liked who Harper was. She was beautiful girl - a beauty queen, no less - who didn't let that define her. She had to deal with public scrutiny because of the choices her parents made and being a surrogate mother for her sister. And she did it with grace. And when things went from bad to worse, she did what she had to to survive. I found her admirable.

The tiny speck of a town called Muddy Gap, Wyoming holds a special place in my heart. This is one of my favorite series and this book was better than the first. Bravo, James!

Scarlet Chase is fantastic. She's got a great drawl but still speaks clear. She also is excellent at capturing the masculinity of these charming cowboys. Her performance enhanced my enjoyment of the story so much that I decided to stay "audiobook-loyal" to this series and will not read the printed version.

Book Review: Corralled by Lorelei James

Book Series: Blacktop Cowboys, Book #1
Author: Lorelei James
Genres:  Western, Erotica, Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Scarlet Chase
Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

My Ranking:

In the rodeo arena, all you have to worry about is surviving. But in the arena of love and ecstasy, things get much more complicated.

Lainie Capshaw has been servicing injured cowboys long enough to know that a charming Western drawl combined with a fine physical form doesn't mean you should fall for a man. As a sports therapist, she travels the rodeo circuits patching up riders - and fending off their sweet-talking, swaggering advances.

So no one is more surprised than Lainie when she finds herself involved with not one, but two different men on different circuits. Hank Lawson, a bullfighter, and Kyle Gilchrist, a bull rider trying to stage a comeback. Lainie feels guilty about her two-timing, but it doesn't keep her from doubling her fun -until Hank catches her with Kyle.

She's shocked that Hank isn't mad. She's more shocked to learn Hank and Kyle are hometown buddies. But when the men offer to share her - she knows that both of them are going to try to win her, body and soul. Now it's up to Lainie to choose the one man who can give her the ride of her life.(less)

This was the very first book in the Erotica genre I read. For most of my early adult life, I avoided the genre under the naive assumption that all "erotica" books were those that featured Fabio-like characters with long flowing mane and had sex scenes that spoke of "quivering bosoms". Translation, ick. Also, I've never read a Western-themed book. Wide open plains, cattle raising and rodeos never struck me as something I'd ever be into. But, I gave this book a chance and was I was wrong on both of the aforementioned accounts.

James's sexy world of rodeos and cowboys caught me off completely by surprise. I was not prepared how damn sexy this book was going to be. James is extremely proficient in writing scorching hot sex scenes. I was not prepared for that and I was so captivated, I finished this audiobook in about a day.

What's more is that while the sex scenes are definitely amazing, the story behind it all was real. The quick gist is that there's a woman Melanie "Lainie" Capshaw who was having a relationship with two different men, Hank Lawson and Kyle Gilchrist. A chance encounter at a bar exposes everything and the two men discover the secret. To make it even more awkward, not only to Hank and Kyle know each other and are friends, they both have there stubborn hearts set on being with Lainie. They both were also planning to make there move before it all went to hell. So what do they do. They take a risk and ménage it up, while both men are determined and secretly plot to win her over.

Sound like typical, petty drama? That's what I assumed. But James' surprised me with all the characters genuine emotions and motivations. She introduces you to all of the characters and gave them had distinct personalities and backgrounds.

When it was all said and done, I had discovered her secret. This wasn't a book about sex. It was a book about relationships, the Western lifestyle and most of all, about love. It was detailed story with some hot, hot sex scenes to keep it interesting and enticing. What a superb formula - I loved every minute of it!

My only critique is that there was more sex than story, and that the actual story was told more toward the end of the book. For that reason, I could only give this book a 3-star rating because I loved the characters, so much I could have lost a sex scene or two for more plot.

The tiny speck of a town called Muddy Gap, Wyoming, has captured a special place in my heart. By the time the narrator had announced the story was at it's end, I'd come to love the town and everyone in it, the rodeo lifestyle and the rich descriptions of the Wyoming/Midwestern landscape. And, of course, I especially loved all the charmingly sexy cowboys...

Scarlet Chase is fantastic. She's got a great drawl but still speaks clear. She also is excellent at capturing the masculinity of these charming cowboys. Her performance enhanced my enjoyment of the story so much that I decided to stay "audiobook-loyal" to this series and will not read the printed version.