Monday, March 17, 2014

RELEASE WEEK REVIEW & PROMO EVENT: "Unexpected Consequences" by Sloan Johnson


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Unexpected Consequences
(Isthmus Alliance #3)
Synopsis:
Zeke Reed lives his life by his rules, the biggest one being that he refuses to settle down. Through the years, it has become a running joke amongst his circle of friends that his condo would be well served by the installation of a revolving door.
That’s what makes his friendship with Mary and Jeff work. All three of them are looking for some no-strings-attached fun. Until fate steps in, making them all take a look at what’s been developing while they’ve been busy fooling around.
Unfortunately, every decision in life has consequences. When you choose to openly share your life with more than one person, things get complicated. Will Zeke, Jeff and Mary be able to stand together as the world tries to pull them apart?



Review:
4.5 Stars

OMG!! I loved this book!!! Truly loved it. This book was the hottest book of the series. This book was a true journey between lovers and the trek to gain acceptance and work out the nuances of a relationship….with three people. It was SO good. It read easily and beautifully.

Jeff was Holly’s counselor after she came out of her coma and was there for her as an outpatient counselor when she got released from the rehab facility. We got to see a little bit of Jeff in a scene at the club in the second book, and we also got to see Zeke’s reaction to him….but I didn’t think anything of it. I thought Zeke was admiring Jeff’s control of the scene he was watching, when in fact he was actually admiring him. Looking back on that now, I really love how that little back story came into play in this one.

His voice is deeper than normal, each word spoken slowly and with purpose. I turn on my heel and make it two steps before I realize that I’m fooling myself if I think I have a chance of walking away from either one of them. I am his and he knows it.
Bastard.  ~Zeke

Zeke is the perpetual ladies’ man. Revolving door of sorts…and he never has settled down, never felt the need to and had no problems teasing Dylan and Tommy for the way they were with their women. Zeke realizes that Jeff has a way of getting what he wants….and I love to see the fact that Zeke, who is this very strong, alpha male, has no problems accepting what Jeff means to him or does to him. It was an incredible journey to watch this all unfold and watch Zeke become quite submissive to Jeff. The difference in his character from what we saw in the first two books to now, it was incredible and really well written.

In my haze, the mystery of why Jeff is the first person I’ve given myself to in this way hits me. He’s a natural at what he does. He knows when to be tender and when to be sadistic. When to gift me with pain and when to deliver pleasure. ~Zeke

Mary is a very strong woman…..she stands on her own two feet and doesn’t ask for anything. What started out as a very casual time between three people turned into much more.  When circumstances change after a very dangerous accident, Mary, Jeff and Zeke all have a very rough realization of what their relationship truly and honestly means to each of them.

I look from one man to the other, thinking about all the ways they’re two halves of a whole for me. While I can’t think of a single way in which either of them is lacking, I also can’t fathom not having both of them. ~Mary
  
Their love was a beautiful love…..it flowed and it was alive. The world didn’t interfere with their love and they didn’t proclaim it to the world. The problems started to come up when they went to make their relationship known, in a very not-appropriate way. Some decisions effected how their relationship progressed, but it also caused some problems that were very hard to work through.  Now the way it happened, seemed very realistic to me. It truly worked and the emotion that was brought out by it was truly amazing.

It wasn’t long after meeting Zeke that I realized what a tender heart was hidden beneath his cocky, fun-loving exterior. It’s that side of him he hides from the world that I’ve been trying to resist for longer than I care to admit. ~Mary

I do not like to give spoilers and I don’t know how much to tell and not ruin it!! I highlighted so much and wanted to quote them on so many different occasions!!!  But I will say that this book was filled with a very truthful love, with all its ups and downs and true to life problems. This book was a great ending to the Isthmus Alliance and it really gave me a feeling of completion. We learned about some other characters, but I was rather surprised to not see Liam make more of an appearance in the book. We got more of Dylan and Tasha in a very amazing way.  We also got to see Tommy and Holly progress along in their relationship. I felt complete after reading this book…..however, it was written just right that there could easily be an addition of more books.

Sometimes, it takes getting scared to realize what you want and need.

Great job on this book!! 4.5 stars for this magnificent journey through an amazing love.


Love,
Bethany



Purchase links:
Amazon | B&N 





Isthmus Alliance Series

Unexpected Angel

(Isthmus Alliance #1)
Synopsis:
Tasha Skinner finally shed the baggage of a failed marriage. Now, she’s looking forward to a night of margaritas and man-bashing. Tasha’s friends have other plans, including Leather, Lace and liberation.

Dylan Caprese didn’t want to go to Marquee, but he and his friends were on a mission. They took it upon themselves to make sure things didn’t get out of hand when wannabe Doms mixed alcohol with playtime at the monthly Leather and Lace night.

From the moment he set eyes on Tasha, he knew there was something different about her. She wasn’t some bondage babe who thought she knew what it meant to be into BDSM. She was much, much worse; she was innocent and trusting. He can tell she is something precious.

When Tasha’s past threatens to destroy her, Dylan begins to realize that while their paths have never crossed, their lives most definitely have. Will he be able to save her before it’s too late?






Review:
 4 Stars!

I first saw this book featured on a wattpad entry that was shared on a blog site….and I really like the little bit of it that I got to read. Once it came out, I purchased it and was super excited to read it. It sat on my kindle for almost 6 months!!! I can’t believe it took me that long to read it….well, I had a fire lit under me because the third book was coming out and I was super excited to read it. Each book is about a different couple, but they are all connected: interconnected standalone series.

This book was about Tasha and Dylan. Tasha is finally getting rid of her good for nothing husband, Nick, who is a loser to the nth degree. He really brought her down! So her best friend, Holly, who stood by her through everything, decided to throw her a divorce party!! Just a super good time and to get her out into the world again…..but Holly does this party at a spot that probably wasn’t the best place without warning Tasha first. It was held in a club on a night called ‘Leather and Lace Night’….with Holly dressing Tasha up and applying her makeup, soooo not Tasha. Holly likes to play with the big kids as a Domme, something Tasha knew nothing about. Probably would have been fine for some people, had they been warned….but Tasha was NOT warned. It was a real eye-opener for her!!

Well, Dylan saw her just outside the club before she went in, and was immediately drawn to her. He basically called her out as a newbie and that she didn’t belong at the club, and she was determined to prove him wrong….hahahaha!! This made for an interesting discussion that I enjoyed watching unfold, especially since Tasha still had NO idea what was on the inside of the club waiting for her!!

“Honey, with your blue jeans, fuck-me red boots and a corset so white you’ll be glowing all night, you look like a modern day Betsy fucking Ross. Let’s just say there’s little about your outfit that leads me to believe you’ve experienced what you’re about to see.” ~Dylan

That made me laugh….why? Because he could already sense something about her and totally called it! She sure didn’t mind the view, however….but who would, looking like THAT??

My eyes travel the length of his body, taking in his raw sexuality. His shaved head is a look I don’t think is attractive on most people, but it works for him.  
He’s the opposite of anything I’ve been attracted to in the past, but I’ll be damned if my body doesn’t long to get to know him. ~Tasha

I loved his demeanor and the pure gentleman that he was. I immediately fell for Dylan, and really liked his personality. He was very dominant….and I really do enjoy that side of a man. Doesn’t have to be BDSM……I just love dominant men in stories. Alpha…..yes, please!! Sign me up!!! He really was that man for me.

We learn more about Holly and Nick, and what is going on. Dylan doesn’t like Holly from the get-go and pretty much wants to protect what’s “his”…..and Tasha is adamant that she is not “his” or anyone else’s. She just got out of one controlling relationship….she sure didn’t need to jump into another. Well, sometimes fate plays a more prominent role in your life than you want. Dylan was there. Dylan wasn’t going anywhere. Dylan wanted her and he was determined to let her know how he felt…..but, to be honest, it wasn’t over the top and all stalker-like. It was Dylan being Dylan. To explain it….well, he is alpha and dominant and is very perceptive. Yummy. Just yummy, ok?

As they are in the club, and Tasha’s senses are basically on overload at everything she is seeing, Dylan takes it upon himself to show her around, much to Holly’s dismay. While he shows her around and is starting to explain what is going on, they feel something between them. It‘s that feeling….that energy you feel when you are attracted to someone instantly. Your legs are weak, your heart races and every little touch give you goose bumps. Yep….that is what they felt.

“Do you like what you see?” I shiver as his breath crosses my bare neck. His thumbs brush gently along the back of my neck making me feel things I’m not sure I’ve ever felt before. ~Tasha

She didn’t take too kindly to him calling her precious, or telling her what to do….but he always had a reason. It was giggle worthy when she thought she was being defiant and telling him to stop calling her Precious. We learned a little bit more about Dylan at that point and I think this solidified my love for him. She is a feisty one as well!!

The other things you need to know are that I don’t appreciate being lied to and I will always protect and take care of what is mine. ~Dylan
“Well that’s good to know,” I snipe. “Two things you need to know about me. I’m not a liar and I do not belong to anyone.” ~Tasha

Dylan was very confident, but not cocky; a perfect gentleman, but firm. It was this that made the book very enjoyable for me. Tasha was feisty…..but overall, it wasn’t an annoying feisty. She was her own person. Sometimes she got into trouble, but overall it was a very enjoyable book.

“I promise that I won’t touch you without your permission.” I can’t believe I am going to have this precious angel in my bed and I am promising to keep my hands off. ~Dylan

This book was dual POV and while I generally like my men to be strong and alpha and very protective, I really enjoyed seeing the other side of it as well. The caring, the love and the pure emotion. We got real emotions, real pain, jealousy and inadequacy. It’s all in there. 

The secondary characters in this book played vital roles and they all helped out when needed. I LOVED Zeke. He is what a man should be like….he was definitely the sidekick to always have on your side.  Holly is a spitfire with some serious ‘tude. She doesn’t have a care in the world and loves to go out and have a good time. She gives Tasha hell and teases her about her man “controlling” her every now and then, but she is very strong willed…..seriously headstrong. Tommy is a cop that Dylan and Zeke are very close to and he actually helps Dylan out when they are trying to figure out who is harassing Tasha and wreaking havoc.

The end of this book set the stage for the next book rather well.  Holly ends up getting herself into some serious trouble and drags Tasha with her, which leads into book 2, Unexpected Protector.

4 Stars for this book. It was a great beginning to the series.

Love
Bethany


Purchase links:





Unexpected Protector
(Isthmus Alliance #2)
Synopsis:
Everyone makes mistakes in life. Unfortunately, Holly Richards has become an expert at taking the wrong path in life. This time, she may have gone so far that she has alienated the one person who has always been there for her. Will she be able to make the right decision for once in her life?

Tommy Reed’s world shifted the night he found Holly Richards lying in a pool of blood on the ground. For reasons he can’t explain, he feels the need to protect Holly from her own past. In the process, he’s hoping to also teach her that there is more to D/s than releasing pent up emotions.

Life isn’t easy for the former-junkie and the cop. Some of those closest to Tommy are less than thrilled with his devotion to Holly. Those who pressured Holly into her former life are worried she’ll share what she knows. Is there any way for both of them to come away from the situation unscathed?





Review:
3 Stars

This book picks up exactly where book one left off and Tommy starts us out in the prologue. Holly is in a coma from the fight that ended book one and Tommy has been sitting with her the entire time. He is there daily….he wants to be there to watch over her and protect her and make sure she is taken care of. He has this unexplainable pull towards her and he doesn’t really understand why….all he knows is he wants to protect her.

Holly has been through hell. She was addicted to drugs, and when she started selling herself and not taking care of business….she got into some bad deals and got drug down really quickly. We start out in Holly’s head while she is in a coma….but she really isn’t. She has woken up in some serious pain and is in and out, but she pretends to be still out while others are there. We see a different side of the headstrong Holly in this book. She is very insecure, very immature and quite fragile, emotionally, after all this happens. She hears Tommy talking to her, but she has no idea who it is and why he is there.

Between the kind words and the way I feel his voice as he speaks, I want to leap into the mystery man’s arms and thank him. ~Holly

Holly deals with her demons with her counselor and Tommy by her side. Tasha is still there but has Tommy very leery of Holly right now. Most of the story is spent on Tommy picking Holly up and making her realize she really is a better submissive than a Domme, along with starting her off in school and getting her back on the right track. 

For someone who swore she wasn’t submissive, she sure as shit craves my approval. And she gets it. Often. It’s funny how the woman who swore she would never bow to anyone is the best sub I’ve ever shared my life with. ~Tommy

This book was very hard for me to read….not because it was a bad book, but because I couldn’t connect with the characters as the main characters. I really wanted to, especially seeing the story carry on with Dylan and Tasha into this book as well. The storyline was a great storyline and Tommy was a very sweet and generous man. He was not a typical Dom in that he was very soft, but I knew going in that this was a series that was exploring the softer, more sensual side to this way of life. Again not a problem, but it wasn’t what I thought it was going to be because I didn’t feel he had control of his own emotions, but he was going to truly be able to help her with hers. I also didn’t truly understand the connection between Tommy and Holly in the very beginning. Tommy was a very in tune boyfriend that knew exactly what Holly needed and what he was going to do to help her overcome some issues. He used scenes for learning trust and I truly enjoyed his ability to read her and calm her down. The scene that stuck out to me the most was when she was blindfolded, by the fire and he applied lotion…it was all a trust issue and it was beautifully written.

Holly was a very broken girl that really needed some help and her self-esteem and self-worth were in the toilet. She was truly broken, but also the inner dialogue killed me. Again, nothing wrong with it….she was very insecure and she had the worst self-esteem ever, and I had a very hard time with the connection. By the end of the book she was really a stronger person that really came into her own. She really grew and we ended up seeing her able to really help Tommy in his time of need. 

Overall, this was a good book. It honestly truly was, but it wasn’t what the first book was for me. Tommy and Holly were an amazing couple that grew together and learned together. They were there for each other through some very hard times and this showed their character growth really well, in that aspect. 

I rate this 3 stars for growth and a believable love.

Love,
Bethany


Purchase links:



About the author:
Sloan Johnson 



Sloan Johnson is a big city girl trapped in a country girl’s body. While she longs for the hustle and bustle of New York City or Las Vegas, she hasn’t yet figured out how to sit on the deck with her morning coffee, watching the deer and wild turkeys in the fields while surrounded by concrete and glass. When she was three, her parents received their first call from the principal asking them to pick her up from school. Apparently, if you aren’t enrolled, you can’t attend classes, even in Kindergarten. The next week, she was in preschool and started plotting her first story soon after. Later in life, her parents needed to do something to help their socially awkward, uncoordinated child come out of her shell and figured there was no better place than a bar on Wednesday nights. It’s a good thing they did because this is where she found her love of reading and writing. Who needs socialization when you can sit alone in your bedroom with a good book?

Now, Sloan is a tattooed, purple haired mom of two kids, one of which was a thank you present to her husband for letting her get a Staffordshire Terrier with more anxiety issues than Sloan has, which is saying something. She’s been kicked out of the PTA in two school districts and is no longer asked to help with fundraisers because she’s been known to lose herself in a good book and forget that she has somewhere to be.

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