hurt – Z. Elizabeth

Forever Too Far (#3) – Abbi Glines

Posted on June 26, 2013June 22, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

Rush promised her forever… but promises can be broken.

Torn between his love for his family and his love for Blaire, Rush has to find a way to save one without losing the other. In the end one has to be more important. Letting go isn’t easy.

Blaire believed in her fairytale… but no one can live in a fantasy.

Her love for Rush and desire to have a family keep her believing that they can find a way for this to work. Until she has to make the right decision for her and the baby. Even if it breaks her heart.

Can they find the forever that they both want or has it all just gone… too far?

4.5/ 5 stars

Fallen Too Far review HERE
Never Too Far review HERE

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My Review

Okay, so if you have read my reviews on Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far you will see that although I did like them, I didn’t love them. Fallen Too Far was okay, Never Too Far was better apart from the ending that killed me but Forever Too Far!! Yes, this is my favourite book of the series. I absolutely relished it. I couldn’t put it down!

Abbi Glines is an amazing author and she really has done it again. She sucks you in to her books, makes you feel every emotion under the sun. I had tears, anger, laughter, I smiled, I swooned, I fanned myself. It was all there and Abbi conveys everything brilliantly. Kudos to this lovely lady!!

If you have yet to read Fallen Too Far and Never Too Far, then I would definitely recommend reading them, so when you reach Forever Too Far you can see their story and their journey be completed in the best possible way. The way they have gone through so much, alone and together, fought battles alone and together and came out stronger and so in love at the end, a family complete will make your heart ache in such a great way. They both deserved it so much.

I’d also say to read Twisted Perfection before Forever Too Far as a bit of the storyline links in with Forever Too Far so you won’t get confused over what is happening.

Blaire and Rush finally have their happily ever after. They are engaged, have a baby on the way and have the most amazing friends but family drama just can’t stay away from them no matter how much they want it to.

Of course, it comes in the form of Nan and her estranged father and so Rush and Blaire take a trip so Rush can sort this relationship out. But torn between his love for Blaire and the baby and his family, Rush has to decide which one is more important because he will lose one, whether he wants that or not.

Blaire sticks with Rush throughout everything, they have been each other’s rocks, but can she continue to be there when everything is just a mess. She needs to decide what is right for the baby and her.

It’s now down to Rush to make the decision. Will he make the right one and finally put Blaire first?

Ohhh Rush, my darling Rush. He really goes through the motions in this book. Family or Blaire first? Of course it’s got to be Blaire but yano things with Nan are never ever simple and shes on the war path yet again. Jesus can that girl take a break and not be a complete bitch?! You can see the dilemma he has. He NEEDS and WANTS to put Blaire first. She is the girl he loves, shes carrying his baby but then his sister is troubled and he does love her and she needs his help.

You see him make mistakes in Forever Too Far but you also see him redeem himself, think through everyone and see him journey through, making his own mind up about his life now, having enough of being in the middle of his family disputes, trying to get them all to calm down and talk without storming off or screaming at one another. Yeah this doesn’t happen.

You feel conflicted over some of his decision, but then you think “would I do the same?” Yes, probably but I would always put Blaire first and foremost in every thought. You feel proud of Rush for what he does for Nan and then definitely making sure Blaire is number one, like she really should be after all the shit. She was finally his priority. Her and the baby. Sod everyone else trying to get in their way; it was the two of them against the world. God knows it took them long enough.

My Rush Crush definitely grew with some of the things he would say to Blaire and the way he was so excited about his baby…how protective he was over him even though he wasn’t out in the world yet. You could see the love for mother and baby pour off of him and you really do fall that bit more in love with him over this fact. He’s grown up so much over the three books and you just feel like a proud momma looking at her baby. (Thank god I’m not, because Rush can definitely sex me up).

Blaire is just brilliant. You know how much I adore her and her strength from FTF and NTF and she certainly has grown up so much, much like Rush over the three books. Shes got herself and her baby to protect and look after throughout the pregnancy and all this family drama *COUGH* NAN just made her stressed because Rush was stressed and always running to save Nan from herself. I loved how Blaire was always worried about Nan, despite the need not to be, as Nan is a complete cow but that is what Blaire is about. She’s caring and sweet and has such a lovely soul, but she also knows how to stick up for herself, as you will definitely see throughout the book. That one scene at the beach, OH HELL YES Blaire, you are a total BAMF! Her love for Rush never falters, it only grows stronger with each thing that Rush does. Although at one point I was proud she had the courage to do that thing (HAHA not saying what) but it changes the dynamic and forces Rush to re-evaluate everything and he made the right choice.

Rush really is one lucky sonofabitch. I wouldn’t have put up with the Nan crap like Blaire did but it proves just how much she loves him and a love like this cannot be broken, no matter how much your family puts you through. Their chemistry and attraction to each other only intensifies throughout the book and the fact that Rush is so in love with Blaire and his baby, his protectiveness for them both had me in tears. He was so excited and scared for the arrival of the baby and when the baba finally graced the world, he just didn’t want anyone to hold him, his protective streak appearing. I loved that about him. Blaire and Rush really were the cutest couple with the cutest baby and amazing parents.

Their sex is still steamy. (Not as hot as Woods though – who has my heart) but it was hot and sexy and ‘give it to me now’ sex. Jumping from reading Twisted Perfection sex to Forever Too Far sex was the greatest thing I could have ever done and can those two be in my bed please? BY GOD, it would be amazing. The things these two can do….

RIGHT! Onto the song. I’m sure you all know by now that there is a song entwined into the storyline that Abbi has put on ITunes for us all to download and enjoy. I’m late to reading FTF so when I read this scene, I YouTube the song, and played it whilst reading the lyrics in the book. I can’t tell you how much I sobbed….ugly cried throughout listening to the song and reading the lyrics and how it integrates throughout the three books. It was perfect and showed all of Rush’s feelings and emotions for Blaire which was the greatest gift she could have ever relieved – next to Rush, her friends and her baby.

Forever Too Far also paves the way for Grant’s book and I totally love Grant. He deserves so much happiness as Nan is a psycho. We see his interest but can he go there? He knows who she is now and it doesn’t bode well for him because of Nan. DO NOT PICK NAN, GRANT! We will have to wait and see for his book which I cannot wait for!!

It was such a lush book for finish off Rush and Blaire’s story. I feel like I’ve journeyed along with them throughout the three books, watched them battle their pasts and their presents, fall in love, make an amazing family dynamic with their close friends and both grow into themselves, finally learning whom is the best important in their lives and who doesn’t deserve a chance.

Definitely give this series a go if you haven’t yet. Then fall in love with Woods and Della and their eagerly anticipated second book and then Grants two books too! You too will have a Rush Crush (Even if Woods is top of the list 😉 )

Erotica, Tessa Bailey

Officer Off Limits – Tessa Bailey

Posted on June 23, 2013June 22, 2013 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

His need to possess her is non-negotiable.

Story Brooks’ fiancé just called off their wedding two weeks before the happy day. As if that isn’t bad enough, her semi-estranged father, an infamous NYPD hostage negotiator, has suffered a heart attack. Not wanting to examine her lack of emotion over the broken engagement, she hops on a plane to reconnect with her father before it’s too late.

Playboy hostage negotiator Daniel Chase has never, not once, been refused by a woman, so when a debate over hospital snack foods with a delectable kindergarten teacher ends in flat-out rejection, he makes it his mission to seduce her. His only obstacle? She’s the daughter of his mentor who implicitly forbade Daniel from pursuing her.

Despite her father’s warnings and Daniel’s troubled past, Daniel and Story can’t resist their intense attraction to one another. But when the reason for her fiancé’s abrupt wedding cancellation comes to light, can Story and Daniel’s already forbidden relationship survive?

5 / 5 stars

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My Review

Since reading Protecting What’s His, I have been grabbing my sides (and clenching my legs ;)) to read the next two books from Tessa Bailey. I couldn’t resist anymore and I couldn’t stop thinking about them so Officer Off Limits was the next book I literally devoured.

As I mentioned in my review for Protecting what’s His, I couldn’t put it down. Ms. Bailey engrosses you within the story, rooting for both hero and heroine, making you fall in love with them and mentally telling them what to do, as well as picturing yourself having sex with the hero….yes, we all do it, don’t be shy now.

I read the majority of books on the bus and trains to and from work, so I have so many different facial expresses but when sex scenes appear, they get me highly strung…seriously people, don’t read sexy books in public places, you will want to jump the next boy/girl who sits beside you. Don’t worry that didn’t happen but the book will be on your mind all day until you can get your hands back on your kindle to finish it. THAT is the type of book I love, the one where the story plays all day in your mind and you just need to know the ending. It surely didn’t take me long to read 😉

After her fiancé called off their wedding just weeks before the big day and her dad, whom she hasn’t seen in years decidedly has a heart-attack, Story Brooks decides to visit her dad in New York while examining why she isn’t broken up about her engagement.

While she’s there, she meets her father’s partner, Daniel Chase. Playboy Daniel was recruited by Story’s dad when he was younger and her dad has been his mentor throughout the years. Never thinking himself good enough for love, he jumps from bed to bed never staying long enough for anything serious, until he spots Story. Her blasé attitude only makes him want her even more but when he finds out she’s his mentors daughter, he’s forbidden from pursuing her.

But the chemistry between Daniel and Story is just too strong and despite the warning, they cant stay away from each other. Story learns about Daniels troubled past and helps him learn to love, whereas Story wants a rebound yet does she really? When everyone finds out the real reason for the cancellation of the wedding, can Story and Daniel’s relationship survive?

I’m going to start with Daniel. HAHA but of course, who wouldn’t. You all know me by now, such a book boyfriend whore so I HAVE to start with the guys first 😉 But yes, DANIEL CHASE! I pretty much love him (as I do with other BBF I’ve written about). He is primal and possessive and raw but he doesn’t think highly of himself. He doesn’t think hes worthy of love because of his past and being thrown around the system and that one event that changed him and shaped him into what is now his career. Because of this self-doubt, he whores himself around because he thinks hes not worthy of being loved, or even loving. Oh baby, you are sorely mistaken about that.

He is great at his job, been with plenty of women so he pretty much knows the way around a woman’s body but when he spots Story, hes taken aback. She is something different altogether and it’s a damn shame she is off limits, but does that stop him? Fuck no. He wants her, want to get to know her and he knows there is something between them, something more than a quick fuck. He’s hooked from the get go and now it’s time to prove that this is more than a rebound, that it’s something real.

I loved Story. She is a kindergarten teacher and when her fiancé breaks off their engagement she just has this blasé attitude towards it. Like she didn’t give a shit that they were no more, she just ordered cake and champagne to go. THAT made me laugh so much. She’s strong willed and feisty and spunky and she can give amazing banter back but shes caring and sweet and wants to see the best in people. I suppose that is from being a teacher. You can see that she does take after her dad though; you will see why when you read it.

Tessa surely makes her heroines strong and feisty and I love her for it! Her characters aren’t pathetic, they have pasts but they power through them, coming out in love and happy in the end. They can give as good as the hero’s can and can make their own decisions upon what he right and wrong. You watch Story and Daniel fall in love over the few weeks they spend together, and you can see that they really do deserve one another. This was no rebound, this was their forever.

I’ve mentioned this in Protecting What’s His review but TESSA, where the hell do you have the ideas for these sex scenes? Jesus woman, you are killing me every single time. I need a Daniel to recreate them. Tessa has me squirming and I need to jump someone. The sex is just raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw and throw me against a wall and take me sex and the things that man can do in 60 seconds? WAAAH I want. The sexual chemistry and all the sex really intensified their connection and brought out another side to Story, which I loved as it brought her sexy shell out.

You totally wouldn’t mind Daniel in your bed; seriously, you will be fanning yourself and this one scene? Oh Oh Ohhhhhhhhh yes please. 😉

Tessa Bailey has really done it again. She brings feisty, caring heroines, possessive and dirty mouthed alpha males, humour, sarcasm, hot sex scenes and a great plot within this book which I can tell you is hard to not read once you’ve read one book by her.

If this review doesn’t get your butt over to Amazon and pressing the 1-click button, I’ll leave you with these two quotes…..

“Do you feel that gorgeous? I keep my cock hot and hard for you. Only you. Any time you want it, you just crawl right onto my lap and take what you need.”

And

“Fuck yeah. Bite me gorgeous. Mark up my whole body. I want everyone to know who I belong to. Who I get hard for. Just you, Story. Just you.”

*dies*

J. Sterling, New Adult

The Perfect Game – J. Sterling

Posted on December 30, 2012December 30, 2012 by Z. Elizabeth

Synopsis

He’s a game she never intended to play.
And she’s the game changer he never knew he needed.

The Perfect Game tells the story of college juniors, Cassie Andrews & Jack Carter. When Cassie meets rising baseball hopeful Jack, she is determined to steer clear of him and his typical cocky attitude. But Jack has other things on his mind… like getting Cassie to give him the time of day.

They’re both damaged, filled with mistrust and guarded before they find one another (and themselves) in this emotional journey about love and forgiveness. Strap yourselves for a ride that will not only break your heart, but put it back together.

Sometimes life gets ugly before it gets beautiful…

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My Review

“You’re both so screwed up alone that together you’re like the perfect mess.”

I’m going to be honest with you. I’ve had The Perfect Game on my kindle for a few weeks now, and every time I have gone to read it, I have been scared and chosen another book. The reason? When I download books, I read reviews, as do many other people, but I read one review that said something really bad happens and if you follow me on twitter or have read some of my reviews, you know I become too emotionally attached to books, the storylines and the characters, and I knew, if I read this book, I’d probably have my heart ripped out and throw my kindle away from me. And that is exactly what I did reading this book. But it was worth every second because I fell head over heels in love with this book from the beginning.

College junior Cassie Andrews and her best friend and roommate Melissa end up going to a frat party and that is when Cassie and Jack meet. Jack is your typical manwhore who gets any women he wants until he meets Cassie who is turned off by his charms and won’t give him the time of day. Jack’s cocky and always gets what he wants but when Cassie bites back, something switches in him and he pursues her until she relentlessly gives in to a date with him. Only one date though, and then he’ll leave her alone. But things aren’t always that easy when it comes to Jack when she gets to know him, the real him over dinner and that’s when everything changes for the both of them.

You find out that Jack isn’t all that cocky and deep down he’s been burnt badly by his parents leaving him and his brother when they were younger and that he has major trust issues, hence why he only sleeps with a girl once and lets them pursue him. He’s way out of his comfort zone with Cassie, but he knows there is something different about him than all the other girls. She doesn’t care that he’s an athlete, she only cares about him as a person and that’s when he knows he wants something more with her. She asks him to prove it, and that’s exactly what he does. Proves he can be a one women man, especially for Cassie.

Their relationship started off great, apart from the group of girls constantly making snide comments about Cassie. Things are perfect for them but they both have major trust issues especially Cassie. Her issues stem from her Dad who never follows through with his promises and so because of this, Cassie finds it hard to trust any man. Jack’s issues are from his parents leaving and the fact he’s never been in a relationship so he keeps telling Cassie he will screw up eventually. But together, they both refuse to let anyone get in-between them; they are determined to make this relationship work.

To see Jack change for Cassie was beautiful. She’s the one girl who sees Jack for who he really is and not the cocky, manwhore that everyone else sees. He’s real with her and it seemed that he needed Cassie as much as she needed him. As their relationship blossoms and they have been through a lot to get through to the other side, Jack has been drafted for his Baseball and is travelling and Cassie is doing well in college and has earned herself a photography internship. Things are going great but as any great book, nothing good ever lasts too long and things change dramatically over night between them when they are apart.

I screamed, shouted and threw my kindle away from me while I took in what I had just read. Then when I got my breathing back to normal and read the next page few pages, I did it all over again. To say I was affected was an understatement. I just couldn’t believe what I had read. It made me hate Jack for what he had done to Cassie after telling her he would never hurt her. I couldn’t condone what he had done, but then I felt remorse towards him. He felt so sorry and guilt was eating him up that he knew the right thing was to own up to Cassie about it, even though he knew he would lose her and that’s what he never wanted to do – she was his life. Then the way he handled it, going to the extreme of what he did, even when everyone was telling him not to, it got me frustrated and angry at him again. I know he wanted to make things right, but to do that? There was really no need, but in a way I could see his reasoning’s but it was definitely the wrong way to go as it backfired on him.

I am really glad that you get to see Jack’s POV in certain chapters. If we didn’t, I would have definitely hated him throughout the book, wondering if it was a bet or something to try and be with Cassie but alas, don’t worry, it’s not and he truly does want Cassie forever, which I thought was amazingly sweet.

This book goes through a journey. A journey of love, changes, breaking down barriers, heartbreak and friendship. There is a happy ending for both Jack and Cassie and after everything that they went through; the way he apologized would clinch at my heartstrings too. The ending was positively perfect in my opinion and although after everything that happens between the pair and many would probably not forgive him; it seemed the right choice for Cassie to do so. I, for one, am so excited to read book two The Game Changer, when it is out in 2013. Please hurry up and release it J.Sterling!!