Book Review: Six of Hearts by L. H. Cosway

From Goodreads

Step right up and meet Jay Fields: Illusionist. Mentalist. Trickster.

I think in triangles. You think in straight lines.

I show you a table and make you believe it’s a chair.

Smoke and mirrors, sleight of hand, misdirection. I trick and deceive.

But most of all, I put on a good show.

The world thinks I killed a man, but I didn't. Bear with me. It’s all a part of the plan.

Revenge is what I want. I want it for me and I want it for her.

I want it for all six of us.

She doesn't remember me, but she’s the reason for everything. She’ll be my prize at the end of all this–if I can hold onto my willpower, that is. Maybe I’ll slip up a little, have a taste, just a small one.

So go ahead and pick a card. Come inside and see the show. Look at my hands, look so closely that you can’t see what’s happening while you’re so focused on looking. I’ll be destroying your world from right here in the spotlight.

You’ll never see me coming until it’s too late.

I've only got one heart, and after I've pulled off my grand deception I’ll hand it right to her.

So, sit back, relax, and let my girl tell you our story. You’re in for one hell of a ride. 

My Review

The story is told almost entirely from the point of view of Matilda, the witty, intelligent, down to earth, and delightfully relatable protagonist. She's a twenty-something living in Ireland, and working for her father's small law firm. She lives with her her father, feeling an obligation to care and look out for him after loosing her mother very unexpectedly as a young child. 

She has a great best friend and a small but successful dress making business on the side, but her dating life has been stagnant. After unsuccessfully (and hilariously) trying online dating, she runs into one Jay Fields, a mysterious, successful and sexy illusionist, and sparks fly.

Jay is new to Ireland, and is in search of a place to stay. Coincidentally, Matilda's father has decided to rent out a room in their house from some supplemental income. Jay tours it, and decides it's perfect. From there things progress into a smoldering friendship and then a white hot romance. Secrets arise from Jay's past arise, and the couple is faced with some serious challenges. I can't say much without spoiling it!

"Never try to out-trick a trickster."

This was my first L.H. Cosway, and the one that made me such a huge fan. She's tied with Karina Halle for my favorite contemporary author, and that is saying something! Her stories are always beautifully crafted, full of sexual tension and hilarious banter, and she knows how to properly use angst without making you feel like a hormonal pre-teen. Six of Hearts was no exception!



From the second I started reading, I was thrust into a bustling Irish setting and the mind of a fantastic heroine. Everything was so vividly depicted, letting me picture somewhere I've never seen in such an easy way. I loved it!
Matilda was so easy to connect with; despite being a bit introverted, she'd think of these wiseass cracks that had me laughing out loud. She was very smart and level headed, especially for being 23 years old.


Jay....mmm, do I love that man! He was everything you could possibly want in a book boyfriend (or real boyfriend, whatever tickles your fancy): funny, smart, protective, sexy, quirky, ridiculously charismatic, and did I mention hilarious? His character arc was fantastic, too.


Holy shit, y'all, the way the illusionist shows are described made me feel like I was in the audience! Cosway painted an incredible picture with that, and I looked forward to every trickster scene I read. They left me with bated breath and a craving for more. I could feel his audience's excitement, and Matilda's fascination. That charisma I was talking about? Yeah, it jumps off the page in these scenes. It was more like a movie or a live show than a book!

"I might tell you that you're mine, but you need to understand that it goes both ways. I belong to you, too."

Jay and Matilda's connection, banter, and sexual tension were phenomenal. I loved them so much, and found myself laughing, crying, moaning and yelling with throughout the book simply because they gave me all the feels.

The sex scenes....oh my god. They're beyond hot in and of themselves, but Jay and Matilda's connection just makes it all the more delicious. They go from smutty to funny and back again on the same page. Like this little gem right here:

"I'm - I'm taking a bath, Jay. We can talk later." I manage, trying to sound normal, but my breathing is far too labored. I shouldn't be touching myself with him right behind the door, but I can't seem to help it. Reaching up, I mould my breast in my hand and pinch my nipple, sending tremors all throughout my body.

I realize that Jay has been quiet for far too long. I didn't make any noise, did I? No, I know I didn't. I'm not that reckless.

"How's your bath going?" He asked. His voice sounds different now, lower. 

"I said we'll talk later. Can you go now?" I croak, unable to help sliding my fingers inside myself, my walls clenching tight around them. 

There's a smile in his voice when he goes on. "What are you doing in there, baby?"

"Nothing," I answer, a little too quickly. 

"Okay, you keep on doing nothing. I'll just sit here while you're at it. This spot is surprisingly comfortable. "

Bastard. 

Cosway knows how to do angst, as I mentioned. It's not the all-consuming, over-the-top fiasco that's so prevalent in new adult, not even close. There's potential for angst; the characters have their own demons and are challenged as couples, but it never overtakes their lives or the story. It's acknowledged, and then you're moved on to the story. It's quite realistic, I think. We all have issues, but it doesn't need to overwhelm everything! 

"When I look at you, my head clears. Most of the time there's a storm up in this brain of mine, but then you walk into a room and I can focus."

The mystery and slight crime element of the story kept me on the edge of my seat, wondering where everything was going to go. It wasn't like anything I'd read before, and I loved how refreshing it was!

"Why not live with the magic? Be a kid again and believe in the fantastical. Life is more fun with a little smoke and mirrors."

Six of Hearts was well written, provocative, funny, mysterious, fast paced and realistic. The writing is engaging and sarcastic, the secondary characters strong and well rounded, and the illusionist scenes were some of the most enthralling things I've ever read. Matilda and Jay's relationship is beautiful, and it made me so happy to read them. A 5+ star read for me.

I love that cover. A deliciously built back does things to me...

STATS:

Rating: 5+ stars

Genre: Adult, contemporary romance

Point of view: 1st person, heroine

Steam/sexual content: Panty melting, explicit

HEA: Yes

Cliffhanger: No

Warning: Some yummy smut

Series: Hearts #1, standalone series

Length: 354 pages

- The Bibliophile Babe

The Unpopular Opinions Book Tag

Hey, everyone!



It seems to be a weekly thing for me to forget to write a blog post up until the very last minute. I've really got to get into the habit of scheduling posts in advanced. I do that with my other blog, but can't seem to do that here. Oh well. Tag to the rescue, again!

The Unpopular Opinions Tag

1. A Popular Book or Series You Didn't Like

Only read maybe 100 pages of this, but it was just so bad!

2. A Popular Book or Series That Everyone Seems to Hate But You Love

I liked this whole series! It has the typical YA paranormal romance issues, and some aspects are stupidly over the top, but it's an addictive series and a total guilty pleasure. 

3. A Love Triangle Where The Character Ended Up With The Person You Didn't Like/OTP You Didn't Care For

I was Team Gale in the extreme, and remember nearly tossing my book at the wall when she picked Peeta. He was so wrong for her! I'll confess to diving into Katniss/Gale fan fiction as soon as I finished. #truestory

4. A Popular Book Genre You Hardly Reach For

Fantasy (especially high fantasy) is not my thing. I'm not patient enough for the world building, and to be perfectly honest I think the genre lets a lot of authors have a sub-par world with no consistency to it "because magic". Not all, but a lot.
Urban Fantasy I enjoy with some plodding; usually after the first book or two I'm completely sucked in. 

5. A Popular Character You Didn't Like

I really disliked Ridge.

Love triangles infuriate me, and it's even worse when it's a guy torn between two girls. I am way too possessive for that. The way Ridge flat out said he'd drop Sydney if his ex wanted him back made me fantasize about throttling him. 

6. A Popular Author You Can't Seem To Get Into

I like this author well enough, but I'm never wowed. They're good for a junk food read, though!

7. A Popular Book Trope You're Tired of Seeing

The Manwhore and The Virgin/Sexually Repressed Girl
OR
The Billionaire Dominant. I love a smutty BDSM read as much as the next person, but come on. 

8. A Popular Book or Series You Have No Interest in Reading

Not my thing, at all. Sy-fy is hit or miss for me anyway, and I need romance in my books, dammit!

9. A Movie You Liked Better Than The Book

Um...I don't really watch movies. I did like the Harry Potter movies better than the books, though that wouldn't have taken much! :p

- The Bibliophile Babe

W...W...W...Wednesday

W… W… W… Wednesday, hosted by Taking on a World of Worlds, is a weekly meme showcasing what you just finished reading, what you are currently reading, and what you plan to start reading next.

What Did You Recently Finish?

5 stars! This series gets better and better. 

What Are You Currently Reading?

I'm listening to this one, and have finished just a little less than half. I'm not really feeling it. I've liked other K.A. Tucker books, and this is falling flat. I am so not a fan of insta-love. 

What Will You Read Next?

- The Bibliophile Babe 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books On My Fall TBR

Hey, everyone!

It's time for The Broke and The Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday! This week's theme is Top Ten Books On Your Fall TBR, and I had serious fun ferreting out these 10 from my obscenely massive TBR pile. Some of these are upcoming releases, and some are books I just haven't gotten to yet.




In no real order except for number 1:

10. The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

I've heard nothing but rave reviews about this one. I don't usually like or go for historicals, and it's third person POV (I have the hardest time sticking with it!), so it's not what I'd pick up of my own accord. However, I'll make an exception for this one! 

9. November 9 by Colleen Hoover

It's Colleen Hoover. Enough said. Plus, this summary!


Beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover returns with an unforgettable love story between a writer and his unexpected muse.

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day of her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist. 

This comes out in November. 

8. Charley Davidson 5-8 by Darynda Jones

I've read up to book 4, and I'm determined to finish!

7. Nuts by Alice Clayton

Alice Clayton never fails to make me laugh my ass off, and that title....!

6. A Stone In The Sea by A.L. Jackson

Rockstar romances generally aren't my cup of tea (I've yet to read one where the hero isn't an asshole. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind an asshole guy, but not an asshole guy. There's a difference), but the cover is pretty! ;)

5. Rule by Jay Crownover

Another one everyone seems to love!

4. The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher

Really just anything by Tarryn Fisher. I've only read the novellas she wrote with Colleen Hoover, which are fantastic. She keeps popping up along side Karina Halle for my Goodreads suggestions, and y'all know I'm a KHalle fanatic. I'm so nervous to dive into it, though! Angst! Love triangle! Drama! Awful people!
.....
Who am I kidding? Aside from the love triangle, that's the shit I live for. 

3. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

This book and I'll Give You The Sun blew up the book world earlier this year. More Happy Than Not seems more my speed, and I'm excited to get to it. 

2. Lux by Courtney Cole

Ahhhhh!!! Finally got an official release date of October 28th!! This is the third and final book in the Nocte trilogy, and it's been one of my favorites this year. A complete and utter mindfuck that traps you from start to finish. Maybe I'll do a reread of the first two soon and review them for you!

1. Menagerie by Rachel Vincent

I NEED THIS RIGHT NOW!!!! It releases in one week, and it's one of my most anticipated releases for 2015. I love Rachel Vincent's style!

What about you? What are you planning to read this fall?

- The Bibliophile Babe 

Book Review: Amour Amour - Krista and Becca Ritchie

From Goodreads

"Every day,” he says lowly, “I hold a person’s life in my hands. The circus is based one-hundred percent off trust. I give it all to someone, and they give it all to me.”

The best aerial technique won’t land 21-year-old Thora James her dream role in Amour—a sexy new acrobatic show on the Vegas strip. Thora knows she’s out of her element the second she meets Amour’s leading performer. Confident, charming and devilishly captivating, 26-year-old Nikolai Kotova lives up to his nickname as the “God of Russia.”

When Thora unknowingly walks into the crosshairs of Nikolai’s after-show, her audition process begins way too soon. Unprofessional. That’s what Nik calls their “non-existent” relationship. It’s not like Thora can avoid him. For one, they may be partners in the future--acrobatic partners, that is. But getting closer to Nik means diving deeper into sin city and into his dizzying world. 

Thora wants to perform with him, but when someone like Nikolai attracts the spotlight wherever he goes—Thora fears that she’s destined to be just background to his spellbinding show.

This sexy and exhilarating New Adult Romance can best be described as Cirque du Soleil meets the steamy, athletic romance of Center Stage.

*standalone & no love triangles—recommended for readers 18+ for mature content*

My Review

Thora is a small town girl with a big dreams. She's a gymnast, and aspires to join the circus (no, not the clowns and elephants kind. Think Cirque du Soleil!). 

With only a year left in college, and a scholarship hanging in the balance, Thora takes an enormous risk and leaves her hometown in Ohio to audition for a role in Amour, a sexy acrobatic show on the Vegas strip. Despite having no formal training and a near non-exsistant support system, she dives in head first. 

On her very first night in Vegas she meets Nikolai Kotava, the intense, sexy, and gorgeously strong Russian. Sparks fly, but they part ways after an absurdly sexy scene that shouldn't have been as hot as it was. 

(Seriously, I didn't think I could get turned on reading about nipple piercing. 

That got your attention, didn't it?)

The next day is the audition, and Thora is shocked to see Nikolai as Amour's leading man. Unfortunately, Thora fails the role. She is understandably crushed, but instead of running back home with her tail between her legs, Thora accepts Nikolai's offer to train her until the show puts out its next audition early in the new year. I can't say much more without spoiling it, so you'll just have to see for yourself what happens next!

"Thora James: A series of fails, but she'll stand up again."

I'm a huge fan of the Ritchie twins' writing, and Amour Amour did not disappoint! This book was inspiring, passionate, uplifting and intensely arousing. To me, there is nothing more attractive than passion for what you do. The characters' intensity for their dreams exploded off the pages, and the book was all the more sexy because of it.

I blew through this in less than a day. It was incredibly engaging, and it's written in an almost simplistic way that drives each and every emotion home with precision. It was beautiful, and has more than earned its spot on my favorites shelf.

"Why help me?"

"I admire your courage. I know what you've given up to be here. I know the kind of artist it takes to land a role. I know that you won't receive one on your own. And I imagine you, myshka, two years from now, working at Phantom with the same aspirations, the same dreams, the same place where you are now. It's wasted courage. And wasted love. You shouldn't have to waste those things."

I found Amour Amour to be so unique and refreshing. The message of staying true to yourself and pushing forward even in the face of adversity and doubt was so well done. The concept as a story line sounds cheesy at best and preachy at worst, but it really wasn't like that at all. I felt so inspired while reading this, and even after putting it down.

"This is who I am today. 
Tomorrow I may be the same. But in years, I'll be someone else. 
Someone I may like more. 
Someone I may like less. 
And that's okay. Because I'm still living."

One of my favorite parts the book story was the cast of secondary characters, especially Luka, Timo, John and Katya. They were all so well developed and I cared deeply for each of them by the end of the book., Instead of being background noise for Thora and Nikolai, they each had their own voice. It made the story more believable and dimensional.

I don't think I've ever read such a sensual book, and I'm not talking about sex scenes. The way the physical aspects of their training and performance were described...god, I can't even put it into words.  Both Thora's own performance and that of Nikolai were so vivid, so intense. It was gorgeous, and unlike anything I've ever read. Amazing!

I was completely enthralled every time an acrobatic scene happened. I could picture it so clearly, and Thora and Nikolai's passion for it was incredible. They came to life in those scenes in ways I rarely see in the NA genre!

Speaking of which, their relationship!!!  I ship them, hard. It was real, it was sexy, and they had amazing chemistry. It was surprisingly tender, just a bit angsty, and very emotional. I loved how they were so firmly staying with that they'd choose the circus over each other in the beginning, and struggled with that as the story progressed. It felt like a real life story, like they were tangible people.

A totally pointless point that I loved was their height difference. Thora is tiny, and Nikolai is 6'5". 

"You can't be that surprised. When people see a giant fucking Russian man with a five-foot-something tiny blonde, it's the first thing we all think."

"No...." 
People aren't that curious. But then I envision myself in their shoes. I internally groan - how do they have sex would be in my top five thoughts, for sure.

"And what's your speed?"

"Much faster. Harder. Deeper.''

Nikolai was the perfect male for me. He was sweet, sensitive and loyal, while still remaining a protective and commanding alpha male.

"The things greater than us, Thora, they're not impossible. It's just fear talking, telling you that you can't when you can. I know you can."

I did see the ending coming to some extent, but it was what I was dying for, so I was completely fine with that. 

There's a few minor issues I had with the story, like some grammatical errors and things that just didn't sound right - seriously, how can one bite their own gums???



Overall though, Amour Amour was a fantastic New Adult book that didn't fall into the NA stereotype. If you like strong characters with a drive to follow their dreams and a heaping helping of steamy romance, this is a book for you!

STATS:

Rating: 4.5 stars

Genre: New adult, contemporary romance

Series: Standalone

POV: First person

Steam/sexual content: Very steamy, arousing, moderately graphic sex

Cliffhanger: No

Warning: Sex, some language

Published: 

Length: 395 pages

Goodreads, Amazon

The Sunday Post/ It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Hey, everyone!

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we share what we've read and reviewed over the past week and what we plan to read next.






Not too much to update on this week! Work's been laid back, and mostly it's just been fleshing out my future business. Hope to have it up and going in a year or so! I'm just laying the barest of foundations at the moment, and researching my butt off.


It's s-l-o-w-l-y cooling down here in Florida. And by cooling down, I mean we've been graced with the mid-80s. 
Running's still going strong, and I finally almost like it! I'm been managing to get in a good 5 miles at least each day between walking and running, oftentimes more. The only downside to that is that I eat everything in sight. Absolutely every thing. Stupidly fast metabolism + activity = appetite of a teenage boy.



I can't wait for fall and Halloween! It's the most wonderful time of the year; don't let the Christmas carol fool you on that. I want to read some scary books in October; does anyone have suggestions? 1st person ideally, and I absolutely need romance. It's my drug. 

This Week's Recap

Book Review: Sins and Needles by Karina Halle (6 Stars)

Top Ten Tuesday: My Top Ten Book Boyfriends

Waiting on Wednesday

The Book Courtship Tag

Kindle Kandy

Coming Up*

Book Review: Amour Amour by Krista and Becca Ritchie

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on My Fall TBR

W...W...W...Wednesday

Book Review: Dirty Promises by Karina Halle

Confessions of a Book Addict

*as always, subject to ADD change

Read This Week

This might just be the stupidest book I've ever read. 

I freaking loved this!

This is why I only read three books this week. Holy christ, this book was brutally dark and graphic. I stretched it over a three day span because it was so damn dark. Fantastic book that I couldn't wait to get back to, though! Review coming soon.

Currently Reading

A reread

This one's an audiobook, and I can't decide if I'm not feeling the story or I just don't care for the narrator. 

What Will I Read Next?

Have a good week, everyone!


- The Bibliophile Babe 

Kindle Kandy

Kindle Kandy is a Friday weekly bookish feature hosted by The Book Dame. We scan our shelves and eReaders to rediscover books that we own but have not read, to this point little more than shelf or Kindle Kandy.

Captive In The Dark by C.J. Roberts

Caleb is a man with a singular interest in revenge. Kidnapped as a young boy and sold into slavery by a power-hungry mobster, he has thought of nothing but vengeance. For twelve years he has immersed himself in the world of pleasure slaves searching for the one man he holds ultimately responsible. Finally, the architect of his suffering has emerged with a new identity, but not a new nature. If Caleb is to get close enough to strike, he must become the very thing he abhors and kidnap a beautiful girl to train her to be all that he once was.

Eighteen-year-old Olivia Ruiz has just woken up in a strange place. Blindfolded and bound, there is only a calm male voice to welcome her. His name is Caleb, though he demands to be called Master. Olivia is young, beautiful, naïve and willful to a fault. She has a dark sensuality that cannot be hidden or denied, though she tries to accomplish both. Although she is frightened by the strong, sadistic, and arrogant man who holds her prisoner, what keeps Olivia awake in the dark is her unwelcome attraction to him.

WARNING: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, strong language, and graphic violence. 

I've heard amazing things about this dark and twisted tale. I'm reading one in the genre now, so I'll need a break before I can continue, but I'm looking forward to it!

Sincerely, Carter by Whitney Gracia Williams 

Just friends.
We’re just friends.
No, really. She’s just my best friend... 
Arizona Turner has been my best friend since fourth grade, even when we “hated” each other. We’ve been there for one another through first kisses, first “times,” and we’ve been each other’s constant when good relationships turned bad. (We even went to colleges that were minutes away from each other…)

Throughout the years, and despite what anyone says, we’ve never crossed the line.

Never thought about it.
Never wanted to.

Until one night changed everything.
At least, it should’ve ...

Just friends.
We’re just friends.
I’m only saying this until I figure out if she’s still “just” my best friend…

*swoons* Nothing gets me like a friends to lovers romance!

Fire in the Woods by Jennifer M. Eaton

When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky—literally. 

But David’s not here to find a girlfriend. He’s from another planet, and if Jess can’t help him get back to his ship, he’ll be stuck on Earth with nothing to look forward to but the pointy end of a dissection scalpel. But her father runs their house like an army barracks. and with an alien on the loose, Major Dad isn’t too keen on the idea of Jess going anywhere. 

Ever. 

So how the heck is she supposed to help the sweetest, strangest, and cutest guy she’s ever met? Hiding him in her room probably isn’t the best idea. Especially since her Dad is in charge of the squadron searching for David. 

That doesn’t mean she won’t do it. 

It just means she can't get caught. Helping David get home while protecting her heart—that’s gonna be the hard part. 

After all, she can't really fall for a guy whose not exactly from here. As they race through the woods with Major Dad and most of the U.S. military one breath behind them, Jess and David grow closer than either of them anticipated. But all is not what it seems. David has a genocide-sized secret, and one betrayal later, they are both in handcuffs as alien warships are positioning themselves around the globe. Time is ticking down to Armageddon, and Jess must think fast if she's to save the boy she cares about without sacrificing Earth—and everyone on it. 

FIRE IN THE WOODS is Star-Crossed meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind!

This sounds like a weird YA book, but enjoyable nonetheless. 

Vanguard by C.J. Markusfeld

Sophie Swenda, a refugee aid expert, is accustomed to saving lives on a grand scale. It becomes more than a job when the person she needs to save is the man she loves. 

Michael Nariovsky-Trent, a Baltic-born American doctor, vanished months ago after joining the resistance in the Soviet Republic. Sophie believes he's trapped inside the fences and barbed wire of a sinister refugee camp, lost in a sea of freezing, starving prisoners of war. 

Despite her long-ago failed romance with Michael, Sophie’s always believed their time would come – no matter how unlikely it seems to everyone around them. His blazing temper, her obstinacy, and their shared brilliance and competitiveness have made the road to love a rocky one. More than a decade after they separated, they’re too stubborn to forgive past mistakes … and still too in love to move on. 

She embarks on a mission like no other before. Unless Sophie can find him, their long-delayed chance at love will be lost forever. With the world’s security forces deadlocked and the camp’s commander seeking vengeance, Sophie is on her own. She must bargain for the life of the man she loves – and everyone else in the camp – before the commander destroys them all.

I've heard mixed reviews on this one, but it sounds interesting!