ARC REVIEW: HARD by Cheryl McIntyre

“Nobody can take your misery away, 

that’s yours to keep all your own. 

 Find the person who can make you 

forget you were miserable in the first place.”

~~  POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW  ~~

'Hard' to know where to start with this one! 

This seems like a good place though!

The story touched me deeply throughout. 
First the prologue blew me away - it was as if we 
needed to experience Holland's complete abject 
tragedy and everything else that got the ball rolling,
 in order to appreciate how she got to the point
 of literally driving away from her life.

She I barely survived that prologue!! 

Some would have had a breakdown and some would 
have committed suicide - Holland chose to simply drive away. No arguments, no debates, not waiting for apologies or reasons from her husband 
or her best friend, she just went. 

Let's face it, in a fight or flight (non-violent) situation at home most of us would break down and cry, or stand 

there and want to kill their best friend and husband for 

what they'd done (especially following everything else 

that had already happened) and most of us wouldn't 

have the strength to leave with nothing but the clothes 

on our backs, but Holland had nothing left to give, 

nothing left to say and nothing left to live for - so why not?

It really was a stunning prologue - 

At this point I'm thinking it'll calm down now - surely?!!

But no, Cheryl McIntyre took me on one hell of a journey back to happiness - OMG I knew from her brilliant Dirty series that she was an amazing writer and storyteller but this was completely unexpected. Holland doesn't just 

meet a good man and it's all over or a 'normal' man and they settle down... or even a rich

 'sweep me off my feet' kind of a man. 

NO, Holland meets Jensen... 

And he's a whole other ball game!

I'd never heard of Scopophilia, 
 let me tell you, it makes for VERY interesting erotica!! LOL 
Jensen and Holland embark on a no holds barred relationship based on his obsession with her 
and her needing to feel... something, anything 
and ultimately everything. It was just beautiful.

I mean, one wouldn't (on an every day basis) set 
ourselves up for danger, but Holland isn't like the rest 
of us, she truly doesn't care if she lives or dies so

nothing she does with Jensen at this point could hurt her more than she's already hurting - so why not throw

herself head first into it... 

Jesus, it was explosive. It was like she was being followed, fantasied over and fucked by a man that 

could have been a serial killer! But as she didn't care 

if she lived or died, then what difference did it make? 

She thought that it was just one night to forget the  numbness she felt. Holland doesn't expect to find 

a passionate

beautiful 

happily ever after

And this is where dual POV's work REALLY well. 

I absolutely loved the moment by moment flow of them.
Moving between his and her thoughts 
with just a breath between them
 - it created so much passion and excitement.
 God, I held my breath each time the POV changed craving and then devouring each of their thoughts.

 I loved both pov's equally, they were
 fascinating and beautiful.

This entire book is delicate, intricate, scary, profound and yet real. Its sensuality and eroticism is so 'grown up' in its approach. It really has blown me away.
I also love how well it's written. 
It's intense and beautiful... pure eroticism. 

And there's a whole other side to it when Jensen's issue comes to light that left me from 89% to the end in tears... not going to give it away but this gif will give you a hint! 

All in all, a brilliant read - 

I loved it 'HARD'.

Can't wait for more from this amazing author.

~ as part of the Hard Blog Tour - thank you ~

SKIN { Paris Secrets #3 } ~ Michelle Renae

The lovers Jean-Louis and Hollie finally meet...

 And let me tell you, it was beautiful.

A tear filled moment of perfection - I loved it. 
I didn't read the passion, so much as felt it. 

Exquisite and erotically written to perfection.
It was all I hoped it would be.

  

 In a world where it's hard to meet Mr Right this story makes you feel as if even under the most unusual 
(and erotic!) of circumstances it can happen. 

It was just beautiful that they found each other. 
And even more so on the night they finally met.

And then OMG how they got it on!!

Their visit to the museum for sex one of my favorites! 
It was so hot and dirty - yet beautiful. 
Soooo well written and the way he came so dramatically 
and erotically was totally yum to read!!

An exhibitionists heaven!

This series is understated, never overplayed 
- Michele keeps it real. 
I loved when Jean-Louis spoke to us the readers, 
that was funny and clever!!

Highly recommended for when you fancy 
reading something completely different in your 
erotic romance library. 

                        Book 1                       

Book 2

     Book 3  

Books kindly offered by Michele Renae 
for an (as always) honest review.
Thank you - I loved them.

Window and Screen ARC REVIEW ~~~ Paris Secrets 1 & 2 ~~~ Michele Renae

The first time she sees her new neighbor, his sexy smile arouses her curiosity -- and her desires. His hard, chiseled muscles and playful invitations are irresistible. Bared before their windows, 

framed and displayed above the streets of Paris, 

they embark upon a provocative affair. 

Their daring game of exhibitionism lures her back for more and more, and she quickly realizes he is the man she has dreamed about.

She's never heard his voice. Never felt his touch.

Never thought she'd experience something this exquisite.

Or this bold...

BOOK 2

They began a daring affair a few weeks ago, baring skin, sensual secrets—their very souls—before their bedroom windows, situated across the street from one another. 

Now they've taken it to the next level.

The laptop screen has added sound to their intimate liaisons, and his voice, that delicious French accent, is oh, so sexy. His laughter teases good shivers across her skin, and his sensual commands seduce her deeper  into a world of erotic play.

Fantasies lure them into a new intimacy and a surprising trust

that the two strangers who have never touched welcome. 

Sometimes it can feel like the erotic is missing 

from erotica – do you know what I mean?

I absolutely love hot, dirty, taboo reads, but…

a truly hot, dirty, taboo erotic read can be so much more!

Perfectly set in Paris, and giving us a beautiful, observant feel for the city, this delicious modern series tells the fascinating story of two people falling in love 
– that are yet to meet. It’s as beautiful, as it is erotic.

With book 1 being voyeurism and book 2 being cyber sex

this story is definitely hot… and very different!

It has a silky smooth feel, 

it's passionate, elegant... exquisite.

So why not a 5? (so far!)

Well for me, I’d have loved to read
 ‘his’ POV as all this was happening. 
Even if it turns out that he’s just a man getting his rocks off at their exhibitionism – which I don’t think he will be?  I'd have loved that.

  And although most readers will love them, personally I found some of her explicit daydreams to be a bit...  umm... distracting (can’t believe I’m saying that!) 
I felt that they were there to titillate me
(in case we got bored?… I don't know?!)

I personally would have been happy with just the realism 

of their voyeuristic, cyber fucking situation!

                        Book 1                       

Book 2

Overall a sensual, decadent read 

 I’ll be jumping straight into book 3 

(I think it's going to be explosively hot!!)

when it comes out and they finally meet…Sqeeeeee!

Books kindly offered by Michele Renae 
for an (as always) honest review.