Reading on a Sunday: danger ahead!

I'm spending the best weekend ever ;o) Well, maybe not the best in my life, but I'm doing the kind of things that really make my little heart sigh with content. This long weekend, I've met with my family for breakfast. Although I couldn't hop in to see the Game of Thrones exhibition because everybody was already there, at least I met with an awesome friend for a walk, lots of comfort food and a good action film. Ain't that great? Now I'm just relishing my reading time. These are a couple of books I've read over the weekend, and I still have time to read a few novellas.

Wrapped Around Him 
by Debra Kayn 
(Moroad Motorcycle Club #1) 
Publication date: February 3rd 2015
Genres: Erotica, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis:

Empathy is an emotion that has always evaded Cam Farrell, president of the Moroad Motorcycle Club and prisoner #18794. He’s gambled with his life to finish the gun chain running across the states, get the majority of his MC brothers working inside the prison system, and place the smoke screen in Federal, Idaho. He only needs one more thing—Christina. What he wants, he takes, and freedom doesn’t mean a damn thing.

Christina Nickelson keeps to herself and uses her part-time job for Silver Valley’s Department of Children’s Services to help those who are also alone and hurting. The anger and fear she thought she’d overcome after her parents were murdered resurfaces when an ex-convict and leader of a motorcycle club claims a teenage boy in her care. She can’t let her worries go. Putting herself at risk, she finds herself held hostage, witnessing a murder, and questioning fate. The only person she can rely on is the biker who will kill her if she tries to leave.

This is an unusual story. A twisted relationship between an ex-convict and president of a criminal Motorcycle club, and a woman who has survived the murder of her parents, all alone and terrified. At first, I thought the male character would force his touch on her or show her some emotion. He's a hardened criminal, but he acts in an ironically detached way. Threads, kidnapping, Cam resorts to all kinds of means to isolate Christina from her painfully constructed freedom by robbing her of her identity. Creepy, dark, but it didn't really come off as such thanks to some special elements in the plot line and because he never exerts violence towards her.

With a dual POV, the writer offers the characters' thoughts as their strange bond develops. I was very curious as to how it would all play out. After all, they're linked by letters they used to exchange while he was in jail behind an anonymous number and she had questions about what it meant to be bad or to have murderous impulses.

I was very sorry for all the fear and loneliness Christina has gone through. She's had a life that deserves compassion. Cam's life has been unforgiving too, though he's given back as much pain as he's gotten. This novel packs a compelling story. I appreciated that the ruthless biker never forces himself on Christina. He gives her ample space to accept his utter conquest of her life. He overpowers her in every way, yet prefers to adjust to the fact that he's the same person she had a powerful connection with for years through open-hearted letters.

I liked his somewhat gentle approach, despite the helplessness she finds herself in. Cam also struggles with conflicting emotions. She puts up a fight, trying to escape at every turn, but her profound sorrow over her traumatic past leaves a wound that he slowly mends in weird but moving ways.

It was very interesting to read thanks to the words that create a thorough tapestry of the lives of both characters. Their first time together was absorbing and intense. He possesses her soul and her body. It was immensely effective after an episode of brutality that protected her life. Wow!

There are several elements I enjoyed in the story. The inner workings of a criminal motorcycle gang, the letters Cam and Christina exchanged for two years, or how they adapt to each other through their opposing stance in life, are aspects that intertwine comfortably to make the reading something to look forward to.

Danger, passion, right or wrong, deliciously hot intimacy and a twisted relationship between two people who strangely complement each other, this story had me hooked. Sometimes the characters were a bit maddening with his overbearing dominance or her needy submission, yet I could understand their personalities with their flaws and fears.

The last part of the novel is full of danger, hard decisions and rough surprises that had my heart pounding. I truly suffered but loved it. Then... the end. Oh? There's a second part! I-just-need-it... For Life (2). Considering the good writing style and the tough, but emotional story line, I definitely want to keep an eye on this author.

Favourite quote:

She put meaning in a life he thought was dead.

Author's website: DEBRA KAYN

STEPBROTHER CHARMING

by Nicole Snow

Erotic contemporary romance

Kindle Edition, 346 pages

Published May 1st 2015 by Ice Lips Press 

NOBODY WARNED ME CHARMING MEANS INFURIATING, INTENSE, AND IRRESISTIBLE...

CLAIRE

I'm ready to slap my new step-brother clean across the face.

Brash, arrogant, and stinking rich doesn't begin to describe Ty Sterner. He's also sinfully sexy, and wicked talented at making my blood boil.

Ty thinks it's funny to chase me around like I'm the next notch in his bedpost. He lives to piss me off. But that isn't why my heart skips a dozen beats every time I look at him.

What happens if his crude jokes about us hooking up go too far? What if I admit I actually want this filthy talking playboy, and one little misstep lands me in Prince Not-So-Charming's bed for real?

TY

I can't decide whether to laugh my ass off or kiss her 'til her panties ignite. Little Miss Perfect's too hot and uptight for her own good. Knowing she's off limits just makes me want her more.

There's a twisted thrill to flirting underneath our parents' roof. And I want a whole lot more than teasing her cheeks red, or watching her eyes pop when I'm strutting around half-naked. I want to rock her world into a screaming mess and leave her soft lips breathless.

Too bad this is the summer I'm supposed to get my crap together to build the family fortune. That's a distraction I don't need when all I really want to do is find out how perfect Claire feels between the sheets... 

Here it is, another temptation that I couldn't resist. I don't know about charming, but Ty is a gorgeous brute with crude manners and a filthy mouth that drive Clair mad. Their first encounter was funny and infuriating, which only led to a stormy reunion when they found out they were siblings overnight.

Definitely, this novel is entertaining and addictive from start to finish.

At first, they fight, yell and plain clash like archenemies. The banter is sometimes hot, but most of the time they just battle like crazy enemies at the field. He's cruel and she's angry.

Believe me, it's mind-blowing and exciting to watch them hurt each other and swear off any closeness only to relish it when they bounce back to get themselves deeper into their volcanic relationship.

Wanna hear a little confession? It was so, so hot to be inside Ty's head when the takes the decision to taste the forbidden fruit. I loved to read his thoughts about how he would touch Claire, make her his and how consuming his lust for her is. I wanted to stay there forever! Though I also wanted him to act on his thoughts...

Both the drama and the steamy times pulsed with life thanks to the strong emotions on display and the fiery words of the author. She has a knack for recreating painfully hot, explosive scenes of wild lust.

Just as wild as Ty and his alpha-male obsession with Claire. I enjoyed myself a lot with all the obstacles on their way, both from their initial clash and from their parents. When they have to face the consequences of their all-consuming affair, all hell breaks loose. I never saw it coming! It's frantic and desperate and crazy and I loved it. It also gutted me. I don't know if I could have forgiven Ty as fast as Claire though. He didn't deserve to be spared with a couple of "sorry". Despite her rushed acceptance, the ending was as romantic and insanely hot as I needed. 

I'm so happy (and hot and bothered) that I read this book. Now I want more stories from Nicole Snow ;o)

Author Nicole Snow on Goodreads

What are you reading this weekend, book buddies? :o)