Deanna RoyCritiques

Very angsty read.
Part 2 of duet.
Other woman drama. During separation Hero had slept with prostitutes, one in particular.
This woman claims she had his child.
This is difficult as when the Hero and heroine were initially together they lost a baby.
Secondary characters for future books in series.
Some intimate details in memory for Hero.
HEA.

Second chance romance. College setting.
Dealing with the grief of loosing a new born baby who lived for 7 days but died of a heart defect.
Separation of 4 years. Hero left after funeral, not returning.
Hero slept with prostitutes during separation, got close to one in particular.
Heroine didn't date (of course).
Hero goes to other woman after being rejected by heroine when they see each other again. They try to be intimate but he isnt into it so he leaves.
Heroine finds texts and pictures from his past women on his phone before he has explained about his past.
Hero and heroine had not used condoms and had not discussed previous partners.
Cliffhanger ending to duet.
Secondary characters with a story brewing for future books.

I really enjoyed this book. It was steadily paced. I do wish there had been more conflict. It was a decent story though. I will be interested to see what they do with Part 2.

I really enjoyed this book. It was steadily paced. I do wish there had been more conflict. It was a decent story though. I will be interested to see what they do with Part 2.

**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**

I was super excited when I read the synopsis for Wounded Dance because I was finally going to be getting some answers about Livia's past. And boy did we ever!

I had a lot of ideas about Livia's past but I was definitely wrong--in a great way. What happened 4 years ago really did surprise me! It was nice to delve into her past and learn the reason behind her parent's protectiveness. It also helped to establish her character and give context for why she is the way she is at the start of Forbidden Dance.

However, I did find the ending to be a little rushed. I wanted it teased out a bit more; everything seemed to wrap up a little too nicely for my liking. Maybe some of those things will be at play in the next novel, Wicked Dance? It's hard to say because these novels are pitched as ones you can read as standalones so I get why everything is wrapped up before the end. Either way, I'm curious to see what will happen next!

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: http://wp.me/p7hLUw-203
Actual Rating: 4/5

**I received a copy of this book from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**

This was a solid start to a series with a ton of potential. There is so much at play here that you can't help but to be sucked in.

Unlike other heroines who exude innocence, I found it really easy to be sympathetic to Livia's character. You know there is more to her nativity than just the trope of innocence meets a sexy player. Her past is complicated because of her upbringing and it shows.

Because Livia is so sheltered, it provides the perfect opportunity for character development. I really enjoyed watching her become her own person as she discovers she does have control over her own life and destiny if she chooses to.

The only downside to this story was the insta-love between Livia and Blitz. Don't get me wrong, these two have great chemistry and it shows in their dancing and interactions, I just found that there wasn't too much to their "getting to know you". They dive head first based on their physical chemistry--which is fine--it's just that I hope we can see the more emotional side of everything in the next installments.

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: http://wp.me/p7hLUw-203
Actual Rating: 3.5/5

**I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by my source.**

When I first read in the synopsis for Forbidden Dance that Blitz was a reality TV star, I was so excited to see that element in the narrative. Unfortunately, the reality TV portion takes a back seat in the first two novels but it comes out full swing here--and it is so much fun!

I'm a huge fan of the TV series unREAL and this felt like I was reading an episode of it instead of just a romance novel (not that is is your everyday type of romance anyways). I was thoroughly entertained by the antics the show was throwing at them--even if the whole idea was a little silly. BUT, I think it goes to show Deanna Roy's talent that I truthfully had no idea how this novel was going to end. It was a very addicting read.

The only reason I held back from a 5 star review was simply because I felt the character development was a little stagnant here. While Livia does evolve in some way in each novel, I'm still waiting for her truly break that mold and find her independence. She's so close and I think the next novel, Tender Dance, is going to give that to me from what I get from the synopsis. I also liked that we saw a bit of a different side to Blitz as well but I can't help but want a little more from his character as well.

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: http://wp.me/p7hLUw-203
Actual Rating: 4/5

Received an ARC for my fair review for netgalley. While I enjoyed book, I probably wont continue the series, because it ends up being three books, I do get tired of those, however the book was good. The book kept you invested in this couple, they did not love each other from the beginning, which I appreciated. Poor Liv committed a mistake when she was younger, and was still paying for it, her parents were horrible. The only thing they allowed was dance,. She meets Blitz, a disgraced reality star, who was trying to fix his image, and as she tries to fight her attraction, she ends up giving in, and love affair begins even as they try to keep a secret. So what happens next?

"Our baby died on prom night, and nothing was ever the same again."

I'll be honest. With a description that started like that, I was expecting Forever Innocent to be much more emo than it was. I was expecting histrionics on a scale only middle schoolers can aspire to. What I walked away with was a deep sense of what losing a baby you didn't expect must do to someone emotionally. Especially when you are just leaving highschool. I know that my high school self would not have coped well with half of what Corabelle and Gavin went through.

Both of their reactions to the death of their baby made total sense. They weren't the reactions that you would hope to have in that situation, but realistically... Yeah. Self destruction would rule my mental space for a while, I'm sure. Then, to top it off, if I was Corabelle and dealing with the misplaced guilt and the baby-daddy running off, never to be seen again, on the day of the funeral? I might have a few emotional problems too. There were some really painful scenes in this book, that were incredibly hard to read.

Now, for the reasons that this only got a "liked" star rating. One big thing that confused/annoyed me was the non-presence of Corabelle's parents post-Finn. They seemed very involved in both H/H's lives, and then weren't there for their daughter emotionally afterward? It seems like they would have been able to help and see that she needed psychological help. Near the end, we also began slipping into emo territory, but it was only around the last 30 pages. And the ending was... abrupt to say the least. When I saw that this was the beginning of a series, I wasn't surprised. They still have some pretty major issues to work out.

My biggest issue though was that I never connected with Corabelle or Gavin. I didn't particularly like or dislike either of them, so it was hard to cheer on their (possible) HEA. The scenes I most connected with were the flashbacks of the events surrounding Finns birth, but this was in a more general way, not specifically because it was those two characters going through these heart-rending moments.

Overall, a refreshingly grounded look at two kids who had a kid, lost their kid, lost themselves, and tried to make it work years later. Nothing in their story was easy, and I don't expect it will get any easier, though I am not likely to read the next installment.

ARC courtesy of Casey Shay Press, via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this one!! Finally a story in this series I didn't need a box of tissues to get through it! Still a very emotional read with both the Hero and heroine facing incredible challenges and pain in life. I felt the characters worked well together and couldn't help pulling for everyone. We get to catch up with our other series favorite characters as well. Very well written and a book and series I highly recommend to everyone.

An incredibly beautiful and deeply moving love story. After dealing with a devastating loss and long separation, two you lovers are reunited only to have life once again tear them apart. Very well written with characters you root for and cry for. This is a book I would recommend to everyone.

This is an amazing collection of stories and any one of them makes the price worth it! I haven't read them all but the ones I have are fantastic.

Beyond Love and Hate by Zoe York - He fears relationships, she yearns for ever after, they have explosive chemistry. In this wonderfully written novella we find the story of Finn and Beth and discover how wants and desires can change when love is found. This is a great novella that makes for a light afternoon read.

Forever Sheltered by Deanna Roy - Loved this one!! Finally a story in this series I didn't need a box of tissues to get through it! Still a very emotional read with both the Hero and heroine facing incredible challenges and pain in life. I felt the characters worked well together and couldn't help pulling for everyone. We get to catch up with our other series favorite characters as well. Very well written.

First Taste by Mira Bailee - Love this one!! Devon Stone is definitely my favorite Stone brother. While Devon and Kaiden may be twins, they definitely approach life differently. Devon is the bad boy and appears to want nothing to do with the business. When he meets shy, reserved, and slightly OCD Olivia he is immediately interested but convincing Olivia to give them a chance proves a bit difficult. Olivia can't understand what a guy like Devon Stone would want with her nor does she feel she can handle the life he deals with. Their story is just getting started and I can't wait to watch it develop! I highly recommend!!

A highly emotional read that continues the story of Coralee and Gavin. There are turns and twists that will rip at your heart and keep you turning the pages. Be sure to have a new box of tissues handy. Wonderfully written and though it did wrap up the story nicely I am hoping there is more to come of Coralee and Gavin in future books. Highly recommended read.

With eleven books and novellas in this anthology that has over 1600 pages of reading there will no doubt be more author you know and like or will read a story by and want to buy another story from. I have not finished all eleven yet but so far have read:

Revik by J. C. Andrijeski: This book is part of the Allie’s War series. I have read a number of the books in this series and enjoyed each one. Revik is one conflicted but very hot being with a mission in life that he is learning more about. This story is set in Vietnam during 1975 and it is very interesting.

Forever Ours by Cassia Leo: Chris and Claire star in this book that is of a series. Claire is a foster child placed in the home of Chris’s mother. A relationship develops but is not concluded. This story leaves you wondering what will happen in the next book.

Resisiting by Chelle Bliss: A family of four brothers and a sister all partners in a tattoo business. Some of the brothers seem to have met their mates already but this story is part the only sister’s eventual romance. She is a strong person who knows what she wants but may have met her match while at her brother’s wedding. You have to read the next book by this author to find out, though.

Randomly Ever After by Julia Kent: This is not meant to be a stand-alone book but a novella in a series. This novella tells the story of Sam and Amy who are found in the book Random Acts of Trust. There are rock scenes, some misunderstandings and eventually a wedding proposal.

Stella and Dane by Deanna Roy: Small town girl meets bad biker boy in this one. An unfortunate event in a bar leads to a long delayed happily ever after.

I will be reading the rest of the stories in the future but wanted to get my review up since these stories in this anthology won’t be this price forever.

Thank you to C. J. Andrijeski for the copy of this anthology to read and review.

I must admit, I have not read the first book of this series, Forever Innocence. However, it does need to be noted that I was neither confused while reading this, nor was I feeling like I was missing information. There were plenty of flashbacks within the story to recap and guide the reader along.

Furthermore, it should also be noted that this is not just some fluffy, light romance. This book is real. This book is deep. This book wrestles with true trauma. This is not a fairy tale, it's real life. Truly, I was impressed with the amount of research the author must have conducted for this book on the following areas: immigration, mechanics, vasectomies, grief, suicide, pneumonia, art therapy, astronomy, and most certainly with the area of dealing with the loss of an infant. Once again, this book deals with true trauma. Not just some girl whining about her boyfriend not meeting her standards, about a girl who grows up too quickly along with a boy who had to grow up in the face of trauma, and how they endured the excruciating process.

I do recommend this book, it's a reality check on romance. I had to take a day or two to mentally process and digest before reviewing, but I am very glad that I was presented with the opportunity to read it. It is a book that is memorable, I certainly felt like I was rallying along side the characters for the happy ending that DOES eventually come after much hard work.

Please note: this book was generously provided by the author for an honest review.

I have been a HUGE fan of The Forever Series from the first time I looked into it. And for anyone invested in this series you know the tears that have been shed with the first two books in this series! This book however turned a page in the series. Still discussing a very scary serious subject matter, where the other two have a sadder ending Forever Sheltered and Tina & Dr. Darion have a totally different feel even though Tina works through some pretty dark emotions and feeling she remains such a light! The deeper into this book you get the faster you feel you have to go. What will or wont happen? How is all going to work out? I totally love this book! It’s a great addition to the series, but you can for sure read as a stand alone and not miss a beat!

★Jammie

This was a great short read. Sometimes the author had me laughing and a few other times I was crying my eyes out. The author captured the hurt and pain of losing someone that is very important to you. The author has a great way with creating a story.
Stella is only interested in leaving the one-horse town she lives in. The only thing holding her back from leaving is her grandmother. Then hot-shot Dane rides into town and Stella thinks for a minute that maybe there is something interesting in town.
Dane came to town to be with his brother. He had no other family after his mother passed away. His father is not in his life and it is just him and his brother. Dane is actually a great motorcycle mechanic.
Stella and Dane remind me of being back in high-school dating that guy who everyone said was bad news. You remember the one that you parents told you to stay away from. Take a trip down memory lane while reading Stella & Dane by Deanne Roy.
Thanks for a great read.
The bunnies and I give this book carrots.

I have to say that I did love this book. I do have a few things that I personally would have changed, like the fast pace at which Corabelle and Gavin got together again but it was a good read and I am looking forward to the next book. For a full review please check out my blog at http://aamzybookwonder.blogspot.co.uk/

I have to say that I did love this book. I do have a few things that I personally would have changed, like the fast pace at which Corabelle and Gavin got together again but it was a good read and I am looking forward to the next book. For a full review please check out my blog at http://aamzybookwonder.blogspot.co.uk/

I wanted to read this one because I loved Gavin and Corabelle's stories and we met Tina and Dr. Darion Marks in the previous books and I thought it would be great to read their stories. Although its a standalone, I am excited to get some updates from Gavin and Corabelle. Also, the romance was hot so I am expecting some of the same.

I connected with Tina right away. She is fiesty and doesn't put up with (perceived) nonsense or the attitude from Darion. She cares about the patients that come in and she watches for health issues, anything to indicate they are in distress. She is open with them and encourages them to think for themselves, expand their skills. She has a few favorite patients, some that have some amazing art skills already in place, but like one guy who has parkinsons that is progressing, she teaches him how to work around his limitations.

We got to see Darion's backstory pretty quickly. He is having to hide his connection to his sister, and balance work with sneaking visits to her, and fighting for her best care. Even taking off work when he's fairly new to get treatment she needs elsewhere. But he hides the fact she's his sister so that he can continue to care for her, because he wants a holistic approach taken. His mother also died of cancer, and her suffering and some of the care she was given made him want to specialist so that he could help his sister.

We got some sizzle pretty much right away. Of course through their banter and that they've had a coffee date, but they do end up in that surgical suite, and I loved that part. It built up a wonderful tension between the two. Of course, both of them are hiding painful pasts and current secrets, and have a lot to lose. But sometimes attraction and lust over-rules any rational thinking.

I will say, some of the things in this book seems to have the conflict wrapped up a little too conveniently but I guess that money will really get you a lot of places and have people look the other way. But it didn't really take away from my enjoyment, I just remember thinking--wow isn't that a little too easy, and wondering what it would have looked like for the problem to resolve IRL or without the money involved.

Forever Sheltered was deep and emotional at times, but I think that Cynthia did a good job of bringing a light-hearted and child like view of things, making life simpler than adults make it complicated. Also, the emotional moments and reveals of their past or current hard issues was immediately followed by some pretty hot intimate moments.

The ending wrapped up pretty well, and I can't wait to see who Ms. Roy will write about next in this contemporary corner of the universe.

Bottom Line: Hot chemistry and hard issues handled well.

Love Charms is a great boxed set for anyone who enjoys paranormal romance: whether witches, daemons, or vampires, it is packed with stories, you will enjoy.

This is a Paranormal Romance lover must have. I love the flexibility of getting to read stories by authors I enjoy and discovering authors I have never read. Love Charms is a fantastic anthology.

Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

How do you deal with the loss of a child? As a parent losing my child would be unimaginable. Your children are supposed to outlive you. This is how life is supposed to be so a parent does not have to deal with this loss.

Corabelle and Gavin have lost their premature baby. This story will break your heart. Corabelle is so gentle and tender... fragile almost. The author does a wonderful job describing the complicated emotions in the loss of a baby both from a woman's and a man's point of view.

Our couple is so young when they loose their baby (both seniors in high school) that they themselves are not equipped with the maturity needed to handle these emotions. Guilt, frustration, sadness ... all overwhelm them and they both seek to escape reality.

At the end of the book, the author promises a sequel. I will be waiting to read it with great expectation of a brighter future for this couple.

If you read my reviews you know that I was rocked to my core by Forever Innocent. It blew me away in so many different ways. So to say that I was a little nervous to begin Forever Loved was an Forever-Loved-cover.jpgunderstatement. But after reading the teasers online I decided that I was ready to read it. Now don’t get me wrong by that statement, I would’ve read it either way (but I like I said I was nervous). I very rarely will miss a sequel to a book unless I didn’t like the first one.

Ok with all that being said, I have to say that Forever Loved was a really really good book. Letting Gavin and Corabelle begin to heal is an intricate part of this book, but in order to heal you must first begin to deal with what hurt you in the first place. And for Gavin that seemed a little more difficult considering he was the cause of more pain for Corabelle. We watch as they both must learn that they can overcome the hits that have come their way. Is it easy no, but is anything worth having really easy? There is always work involved and short cuts pay off. And they are learning that. I was really glad to see that Gavin and Corabelle got the ending they deserved. Did I love this book, yes by far it was a fantastic ending to the story. Did I cry? Oh yeah, but not for the same reasons as before. Will this book stay on my shelf for years to come! You betcha! I’m just really glad that Gavin & Corabelle got a chance to be Forever Loved

Jammie

Wow, did this one take me by surprise. I was contacted by the publicist with a review copy since they'd seen my review where I loved Forever Innocent. I was excited to see where Corabelle and Gavin would end up since they have a powerful love, but also some very tough things in their past, and I was nervous to see what would come up from secrets, pain and uncertainty of their pasts.
I still love Corabelle's character. Sure, she deludes herself some, but don't we all. We want to be over the pains of our past and never really admit that we still struggle with some of those issues daily. But despite her battle against herself, she is still strong and smart.
Gavin too is emotional, but of course since he is a guy, he hides it most of the time. He is living with a lot of regrets, especially in regards to his behavior after Finn died.
Corabelle and Gavin still have that irresistable spark of chemistry between them, and their feelings are true even if they are pushed to the limits of testing when something unexpected comes up from their past.
The theme from the first book of getting second chances is definitely pushed to the limits in this one, and we get to see Corabelle's parents in this one, and her dad most def does not even want to give out that second chance, and even though they are annoying at times, I totally get that they just don't want their little girl to get her hopes up again.
I love also the friendship in this one. Jenny is still around and Corabelle gets closer to Jenny, who I really admire and like. I also just found out is going to have her own book and I can't wait to read it.
The ending, well the epilogue, wrapped everything up really well, and I like the choices made and I feel like they are really seeing the hope that everything can be okay for them despite all they went through.

Bottom Line: Great sequel with lots of surprises, steam and emotion.

Forever Innocent
As I sit here and try to process what I have just read, I am stunned and honestly do not know where to begin this review. Do I tell you that I love that Deanna Roy has taken a personal situation she went though and turned it into an outlet so that others may know that they are not alone. Someone has been where you have been, and while no two stories of personal heartache are the same just knowing you share that same type of heartbreak might ease the pain. Or do I touch on the writing of this book. When I requested this book, I looked at the cover and the description and thought I think this is going to be a good one. Solid for sure. After reading it, I can tell you it took me to a totally new level. Highs so sweet and the lowest lows I have EVER reached in a book. (And I’ve read some heartbreakers) Parts of this book Chapters, 33, 34, and 35 to be exact. Made me ugly cry continuously! I just sat here and sobbed for the lost that two teenagers had endured and tried to overcome. Okay sorry maybe I should tell you a little more about the story, I don’t want you to think its all tears. This book begins with Corabelle. A girl who is at best struggling to get by. She’s a mother whose baby died at 7 days old then she watched her boyfriend Gavin walk out on her during the funeral never to be seen by her again. She’s a student studying to be a Lit teacher trying to make some sort of headway in their life. She arrived at UCSD after a quick departure from New Mexico State. Corabelle is a quiet keep to herself type of girl. Not wanting to let anyone in who might find anything out about her past. Always afraid of what will catch up to her. Living with a guilt that she has learned to cope with by making herself blackout. Then Gavin shows up. 4 years later and the moment he sees her he has decided that he wants to be with her. With one touch every emotion she’d ever felt came rushing back, Gavin filled the void that only he was ever able to fill. Beginning to make her feel whole again. Can Gavin help Corabelle cross the line to begin to be happy and live life again without the past sorrow steal their future always remembering what they had but not wallowing in the sorrow they share? Or will the secrets that they both fracture them both beyond repair? I have to tell you that this book does have an ending but I’m not sure it will be what you expect. And as much as it has an ending it is also a cliff hanger.
✯Jammie

**ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review**
This Review along with others can be found 2 Bookaholics