Tread (Ronin MC #1 ) by Brandace and Justin Morrow

This was my first book co written by a man and a woman together. The fact it was a husband and wife teaming up really made it a special read.  Tread at first came off as the typical man whore biker. But he also had issues from his time in the military.  Being a Marine mom this story hit close to home with the PTSD flashbacks. It's so hard to accept the reality that war comes home with our loved ones and is continuously fought out in their dreams for years to come. I for one don't take for granted their sacrifice. I really feel these authors touched this subject with grace and  compassion but also with reality.    First real introduction (besides a glimpse of each other)  to Tread by our heroine Grace was when he was in a compromising situation to put it mildly. He had to grow on me. But what made this work for me was that the attraction and relationship between these two was a slow build. They weren't even sure if they liked each other at first. But when things started heating up it was pretty much a blaze. Grace was so innocent in so many ways yet her bravery came through so strongly with how she faced everything with fists up and a ready for anything personality. I loved that about her. Tread was adorable with how he didn't even know how hard he was falling as he'd never felt like this before. This big strong biker was brought low by a innocent slip of a girl and he didn't fight it at all. He loved her with everything he had. Suspense is a key factor in this story with the lifestyle of the club a big part of the plot. Things in the MC are about to change and Tread is ready for that change. There were some pretty scary times and I for a moment thought I might need to put this book down to regroup but I simply couldn't and that made this a book I'll not forget anytime soon. It wasn't so much a love story as a survival story with some romance thrown in that heated things up and made it even more gripping. It clearly laid down the footwork for future story lines. I only hope that this author team keep these heroes loyal to their women.. That is something that is hard to find in MC romance. Really looking forward to more.

Walk Through Fire (Chaos #4) by Kristen Ashley @KristenAshley68

Having lived through my own brand of second chance romance, I find when I read this type of story line I tend to be harder on characters then other books. I find myself a little judgmental and with a lot less mercy. Normally my harshness is always aimed towards the hero. Why? Because it seems like he always moved on, skirt to skirt, girl to girl.. Non relationship to non relationship before he sees the one he left behind. Then I see the heroine has usually had either nobody at all or very few.. No real moving on being done at all. So yea I was a little nervous when Kristen went this route again. But she took all my preconceived and biased notions and shook them up and sprinkled them over my head and said take that! While technically that's what happened her with Logan "High" Judd and Millie Cross. . This time I couldn't place them blame anywhere but at Millie’s feet. You'd never find a more loving or cherishing hero then the 20 something Logan. He absolutely adored this down to earth girl. Three years of adoration thrown in his face. Her reasons.. Her struggle... Not shared.. She just sent him away and it destroyed him. Two decades go by and then we see her sacrifice. Twenty years late.. The wall comes down. To be honest I was pissed the hell off that Logan didn't get the chance to even fight her demons back then. But I was quickly sucked into one hell of a vortex. The gloves came off and things went a little haywire. This was one hell of a rocky, cruel and nasty.. But strangely erotic dance to get to the beauty in Walk through Fire. Because fire had to be what burned away the guilt and the rage between these too. After the smoke cleared there was an absolutely amazing hero standing and waiting to love and adore Millie exactly and actually more profoundly then ever before. Logan didn't hold grudges, he didn't punish anymore, no he LOVED hard, raw, without reservation. Millies scars stood no chance against the simple yet immensely healing love of Logan Judd. I find myself highlighting so much when I read this ladies work. This time I simply couldn't stop long enough to do that very often. I still found quite a few favorite parts of course but I found for one, Kristen Ashley is by far still the reigning queen of dialogue, a character talks and you better pay attention because every word uttered is something that can stop your heart or steal your breath. I was dizzy with those physical manifestations of wonder throughout this crazy ride. I was breathless and shaken and never wanted it to stop. I felt every emotion from swooning and all of the biker badass flowery. I felt anger and frustration over the bratty antics of Zadie and absolutely in overload of sweetness for cuddly little kitties. But must of all I felt a healing warmth all the way through my soul, being witness to a couple’s journey, struggle and rise from the ashes while they  lay the past to rest and enjoy what today brought them. To take what was forged in their fire, and brush it off, make it shine and  cherish it together ..always. That’s a real love story. Because love is forgiving and patient and kind and sacrifices. Both lived it and earned it. 10 million stars for the Queen!

TRIPLES with EMMA

Fighting Wrath (Deadly Sins #2) by Jennifer Miller @JenMillerWrites

I am so torn right now with how I feel about this book. So I'm gonna break it down in loves and dislikes. I loved Tyson, he was so protective and loyal to those he cared for. He had demons he was battling but he really did try so hard to always be there for those that depended on him. I adored sweet Lilly and the other characters from Fighting Envy.  There were so many supportive friends. I felt like it was one big family. I loved that Sydney couldn't keep up her walls against Tyson. That their undeniable chemistry could be literally felt vibrating from the pages. I wanted them to work out. I rooted for them from the start. This author has a very talented way of bringing out the characters wants and desires so you feel their love grow. Its truly so much passion between these two. The things I disliked had me loose some respect for the love story. I think its fair to say that each person has their own moral compass that we live by. What's right for me may not be right for you. I truly believe that people in committed relationships shouldn't participate in certain activities. I think that Tyson did something that was a little bit of a double standard when the climax of this story came to head. I also think his feelings were justified but at the same time he was saying it's ok for him to do something but Sydney was supposed to be held to a different standard. Then Sydney lied by omission throughout the story. The thing is she also felt guilty. What she decided to continue doing once she started dating Tyson to me was not something anyone should do while in a relationship. This is my own personal beliefs and yea she was in a bad place and was trying to survive. If I hadn't lived at age 16 with my infant son to raise all alone but close differently then I would understand her choice more but the fact is she chose differently and couldn't respect her own choices. Having read through all of these issues I still found parts of this story beautiful and healing. I cried several times. In the end what was important was that these two people learned from their mistakes and healed together. I fully believed in their HEA by the end so even among all my triggers and personal tastes issues this author did get job. She proved that redemption is possible and true love can survive if you really try and believe not only in each other but in yourself. For me even though this book took me out of my comforting "safe" zone.. it still stayed with me and really touched my heart. For that I am glad I braved pushing myself a little. For really when an author can make you feel things that shake you up and make you think, well I say she's doing her job. 4.5 Not quite perfect stars but  4.5  Imperfect stars of healing

Coup De Grâce (Code 11-KPD Swat #7) by Lani Lynn Vale @LaniLynnVale

I have wanted Michael and Nikki's book since they first showed up in previous installments. I was so captivated by this story that I devoured it. I love that Lani keeps her characters loyal to each other even when they aren't together.  So just to clear up any misconceptions about what Miller said regarding Michael and other girls..it NEVER happened! This is not a spoiler. This is a fact that this author wouldn't go there! Lani doesn't write drama like that. Why? Because her stories stand on their own without contrived drama. That's why she's in my top 5 favorite authors ever! Lani ..just to let you know..   Nikki owned Michael's heart even when they weren't together. Let's just say Michael was "branded' in a way ..forever.     Michael was by far so amazing that I am really thinking he's probably my favorite hero of Lani ever. From the reason he quit being a Dr to how he stepped up to the plate when Nikki rocked his world, he was like a cement wall that would not be moved. He radiated strength and courage even when battling his mental issues. Nikki was the perfect fit for Michael because she knew what his lifestyle would entail having a brother living the same way. I was surprised by the Joslin transformation and simply baffled and amazed that Lani wrapped up their story like that. Totally a unique twist.   Every time I end a book by this author I sit and close my eyes, savoring the peace and beauty she leaves in my heart. Being from Louisiana and my family being military and police officers just makes her books so personal to me. Even the fact that I'm in the medical field just has me finding so many similarities to my life and I can't get enough of her stories. Such humor but also such passion each story lives in my heart and breathes on its own. Love isn't strong enough of a word to how I feel beginning and ending each amazing tale she tells. Bravo Lani

Fusion (Explosive #5) by Tessa Teevan @TessaTeevan

This story was truly the sweetest and most romantic journey. I enjoyed the progression of two little 8 year old ninja turtle loving beings finding an instant connection that created a life of Beautiful moments. I swooned, laughed, cried and sighed. Tessa just has a way of pulling you into her stories and captivating you with so many emotions.  The humor is at the perfect level and the angst is just right. No upsetting jealousy drama and unnecessary plot devices will be found in this heartwarming story. That isn't to say that their journey didn't have pain and sorrow . These two had the triumph after the pain and the sun shining after the sorrow because everything they went through they did it together ...even when only one of them was carrying the other.     I just have so many warm feelings right now. Jeremy and Sierra had the kind of love that so many hope for. So happy with how Tessa brought us full circle and even showed hints of the next generation.    Sweet  Sizzling PERFECTION on every page.

Framed by C. P. Smith @CPSmith63

I saw Framed was coming by C. P Smith and even without knowing the blurb I was salivating. This lady knows what I love in my heroes and she just writes them exactly like I want. Kade saw the innocent Harley in high school as the perfect unattainable girl he would never deserve. From afar he wanted her so deeply. Little did he knew she was crazy about him too. Lost chances and missed opportunities had years fly by and a failed marriage for Harley was in her rear view mirror while the battlefield a war for the Seal Kade. When next they meet its at Renault prison and Harley is aiming to possibly get closer to Kade and with everything in her heart she believes he's innocent. From this point on this story is a wonderful seduction of the senses with so much mystery and suspense along with passionate encounters.  Kade didn't waste time letting Harley know how long he'd wanted her. I loved their back and forth banter. Things were constantly jumping and making me guess. There were some gross and creepy bad guy points of view that had me nauseated. But I was relieved those parts didn't last too long. I adored the Brute Squad and Harley's Dad just stole my heart. I was in romantic suspense heaven throughout this awesome read. I simply can't wait for more each time I see The End after reading anything from this author.