Recap and Bestsellers for April 2016

April was a slow month here at Ana’s Attic. All of us were working on getting to Wicked Book Weekend, and we were gone for a while! Wicked Book Weekend could not have been better. We had an amazing time! Recap to come once I finally unpack.

Included is a list of all the bestselling books from your clicks in April, and the couple of reviews I posted.

BESTSELLERS FOR APRIL

1. Corps Security: The Series by Harper Sloan

The entire Corps Security series is together for a limited time box set.

Years after the Marines brought them together, the men of Corps Security are together again.

These six novels follow their lives as they take a chance at love. Can love truly conquer all?

From broken souls to broken hearts, they all will find out if they’ll get their second chance at happily ever afters and that love really is worth fighting for.

 

2. (tie) Drop Dead Sexy by Katie Ashley

For Olivia Sullivan, love is more a four letter curse word than a sentiment. Growing up as the daughter of a small town mortician, guys didn’t warm to the fact there were dead people in her house. At thirty, taking over the family business and becoming the town Coroner helped to cement her undateable status. Of course her past sex history didn’t help matters either.

Attempt number one with her first love ended barely before it got started with a horrific latex allergy hospitalization. Attempt number two had him coming and then going with an undiagnosed heart condition. For the past three years, Olivia has closed up shop for fear of what might happen next in the bedroom.

After being forced to go single to her mother’s lingerie shower, Olivia stumbles into an out of town bar with one intention: find an able bodied stud to go home with to end her losing sex streak. Enter Holden Caulfield Mains aka Catcher, who earned his nickname not just from the book he was named for, but for the fact he was sure to catch the attention of any woman who came within a five mile radius. Waking up after a night of the most mind blowing sex she could have ever imagined, a horrified Olivia runs away thinking she’s left Catcher behind.

When Olivia’s small town is wracked by its first murder, she never could have imagined her one night stand would reappear in the form of the GBI’s lead investigator. To her mortification, Catcher isn’t ready to let go of their sizzling chemistry, and he doesn’t understand the meaning of no. As things start to heat up between them, the body count starts to rise, and they’re led on a wild goose chase from back woods mountain Nudist Colonies to altercations with the Dixie Mafia. Can Olivia and Catcher survive to solve the murder while also not succumbing to their explosive passion?

 

2. (tie) Stuck-Up Suit by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward

From the New York Times Bestselling authors of Cocky Bastard, comes a sexy new standalone novel.

It started out like any other morning on the train.
Until I became mesmerized by the guy sitting across the aisle.
He was barking at someone on his phone like he ruled the world.
Who did the stuck-up suit think he was…God?
Actually, he looked like a God. That was about it.
When his stop came, he got up suddenly and left. So suddenly, he dropped his phone on the way out.
I might have picked it up.
I might have gone through all of his photos and called some of the numbers.
I might have held onto the mystery man’s phone for days―until I finally conjured up the courage to return it.
When I traipsed my ass across town to his fancy company, he refused to see me.
So, I left the phone on the empty desk outside the arrogant jerk’s office.
I might have also left behind a dirty picture on it first though.
I didn’t expect him to text back.
I didn’t expect our exchanges to be hot as hell.
I didn’t expect to fall for him―all before we even met.
The two of us couldn’t have been any more different.
Yet, you know what they say about opposites.
When we finally came face to face, we found out opposites sometimes do more than attract―we consumed each other.
Nothing could have prepared me for the ride he took me on. And I certainly wasn’t prepared for where I’d wind up when the ride was over.
All good things must come to an end, right?
Except our ending was one I didn’t see coming.

 

3. When I’m with You (Hope Town Book 3) by Harper Sloan

Nate:
It’s nearly impossible to be surrounded by love but not understand it. My parents, my sister, and just about everyone around us has no trouble accepting that love. To give your trust to someone else and believe they would die before hurting you. I’ve witnessed it—I’ve seen the power of it—but I’ve also seen the pain. Because for me, I’ve only loved someone I could never have, and my biggest fear is that by giving her my love, all I would do is ruin her. I should have tried harder, but I’m not sure I can because I only feel complete when I’m with her.

Emberlyn:
The only time I feel like I belong is when he’s near. His infectious smile warms me straight to my bones. Any insecurities I have vanish with just a wink from him. A sliver of his attention makes me feel invincible. But all it took was one drunken night of truths for me to lose everything I had begun to crave. Now, I’m not sure how to move on because I only feel complete when I’m with him.

He said I was too young. I said he was perfect. He said our families wouldn’t understand. I said we could weather any storm. He said he would ruin me. And he was right.

When I’m with You can be read as a standalone. Each book is interconnected, so if you would like to get to know the previous couples that show up in this book, I recommending reading book 1 (Unexpected Fate) and book 2 (Bleeding Love) first.

 

4. Calendar Girl: Volume One by Audrey Carlan

Mia Saunders needs money. A lot of money. She has one year to pay off the loan shark who has threatened her father’s life and is coming after his unpaid gambling debts. One million dollars to be exact.

Her mission is simple—serve as a high-priced escort for her aunt’s Los Angeles-based company and pay monthly against the debt. Spend a month with a rich man whom she doesn’t have to sleep with if she doesn’t want to? Easy money.

Unlucky in love with a spirit that never gives up, this curvy motorcycle-riding vixen plans to get in, make her money, and get out. Part of that goal is keeping her heart locked up tight and her eye on the prize.

At least that’s the way it’s supposed to go…

 

5. Black Widow by Lauren Runow

Preston
I bury my pain in a sex club. I can be anonymous and still be faithful to my deceased wife’s memory. At the club, I can give and receive pleasure without guilt or attachment. My mask hides the lies of my past.

Kamii
My marriage ended tragically. Since then, the only excitement in my lonely, pathetic, workaholic life is reading erotic novels. However, I now have the chance to be whoever I want to be, where no one knows my past and will never be my future.

When their worlds collide, fantasies become a reality by pushing boundaries. The anonymity of Bridge offers protection from painful pasts, cunning schemes and dangerous lies. But when the masks are removed, there are no safewords to protect hearts and lives from buried truths.

 

6. (tie) Breaking Him (Love is War Book 1) by RK Lilley

From internationally bestselling author R.K. Lilley comes a scorching new series with melt-the-pages tension and all-consuming angst. It’s love, it’s war and it’s Scarlett and Dante’s story.

Scarlett
It was the kind of relationship where I invested more than I had to spare.
I gave it everything.
And so when it failed, I lost myself.
It changed me. He changed me.
I went down with the ship.
My soul, burnt embers in the aftermath.
The fire of him ravaged it all.
He burned me.
Broke me.

Scarlett had always dreamed big. She was headed straight for Hollywood. Destined for silver screen greatness.
But in her wildest dreams she never imagined she’d be broke and single at twenty-seven, doling drinks at thirty-five thousand feet.
She was a glorified waitress in the skies.
It had been years since she’d seen him.
But one day, there he sat, gazing intently at her, ready to set everything ablaze once more.
Dante wanted her. Again.
Sure, she’d play along…but this time, it was his turn.
She was breaking him.
After all, love is war.

See my print and audiobook review

Series: Breaking Him (Love is War Book 1) | Breaking Her (Love is War book 2)

 

6. (tie) After I Do: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid

From the author of Forever, Interrupted—hailed by Sarah Jio as “moving, gorgeous, and at times heart-wrenching”—comes a breathtaking new novel about modern marriage, the depth of family ties, and the year that one remarkable heroine spends exploring both.

When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.

Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to question: When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for?

This is a love story about what happens when the love fades. It’s about staying in love, seizing love, forsaking love, and committing to love with everything you’ve got. And above all, After I Do is the story of a couple caught up in an old game—and searching for a new road to happily ever after.

 

7. Sex Addict by Brooke Blaine & Ella Frank

Fantasies – we all have them.
For some it’s their dream job; others want the wedding, the 2.5 kids, the white picket fence.
My fantasies are a bit more…depraved.
Dark and sinful, they have destroyed relationships and my livelihood, yet I still submit to them like a slave.

Sex.
For most, it’s a natural expression of love, caring, or lust.
But there are those of us who can’t stop once we’ve had a taste.
Those of us who don’t want to.
And the shame of that never-ending cycle will eat us alive…

My name is Evan James, and I am a sex addict.

Previously Published

 

8. Suddenly Dirty (The Dirty Texas Series Book 1) by JA Low

He was everything she wasn’t looking for …

Finding a naked rock star in my bed was not how I saw my new life starting. Especially when that rock star is Evan Wyld, guitarist of the hottest band on the planet, Dirty Texas.

He looks dirty as sin with colorful tattoos, muscles and piercings in all the right places. Summer is about to heat up as I join Dirty Texas on their European tour.

She was everything he wasn’t ready for…

Sienna Hayes is off limits, but ever since the blonde bombshell accidentally climbed into my bed, I’ve been fantasizing about the ways I could help her get over her ex.

She has baggage, but I’m known for being a good time. Maybe I can be her rebound, help put her back together again.

One little taste can’t hurt; can it?

 

9. Right by Jana Aston

My childhood was perfect.
I’ve led a charmed life, and I’m not going to blow it now by picking the wrong guy.

I’ve got my sights set on my brother’s best friend.
He’s known my family for years. He’s reliable and kind and handsome.

Sure, he’s been avoiding me since I was six.
I’m a bit aggressive for him, maybe.

But he’s the one… right?

RIGHT is a standalone novel featuring Everly, who was first introduced in Wrong as the best friend. Both books were written as standalones and can be read without the other.

 

10. Stone (Walk Of Shame 2nd Generation #1) by Victoria Ashley
My name is Stone Ridge and I’m a f*cking go getter…

I set my sights on what I want and go after it. Not giving up easily is what I’m known for.

Well… that and shaking my d*ck for money. I take pride in knowing I’m damn good at both.

Screaming girls everywhere, willing to drop their panties for me and toss their money my way, yet there’s only one girl that I can’t get out of my f*cking head. Especially since she’s my damn roommate.

Sage Knox…

Things were hot between us, both of us looking for the best f*cks of our lives; a way to have fun and get off without becoming attached.

Until I decided that being attached to her is what I want.

She pushed away, afraid of being hurt like she has been since the day her parents abandoned her and her brother Hemy. Every single person in her life has crushed her.

I understand her worries and I’m willing to do anything now to take them all away.

I’m making her mine one way or another… beginning with my damn body.

 

11. Unravel Me (Unravel Me Series Book 1) by Kendall Ryan

Psychology student Ashlyn Drake’s neat, orderly life takes a turn for the crazy when she finds the perfect subject for her amnesia thesis – a young man without any memory of his previous life, including the murder he’s accused of committing.

Against all common sense, Ashlyn’s drawn to him like a moth to a flame. Perhaps it’s that he’s so incredibly male, and even handcuffed to his hospital bed he could pass for a cologne ad – Scent de Insanity. Or perhaps it’s because she’s spent too many lonely nights studying. Either way, she’s determined to help him solve the mystery of his past. She begins to unravel who he was before, using his cryptic tattoos, and his paintings that scream of a dark past as her only clues. When she finally learns his secret there’s no telling which one is the real him, the gentle lover she’s fallen for or the troubled man with a dark past.

UNRAVEL ME is a contemporary erotic romance.

 

12. Laid Out (Worth the Fight) by Sidney Halston

As an Army brat, Violet Channing could never meet her dad’s high expectations. But in the eyes of her best friend, she could do no wrong. He even insisted that he should be her first kiss. Now Cain Sorensen is all grown up, hardened by years in special ops and always looking for a good fight. Tall, with striking blue eyes and impossibly blond hair, he’s a modern-day Viking warrior. Of course, Violet’s all grown up, too, and she’s ready to surrender to his every command.

Cain knows he’s bad for Violet. His work is dangerous, and his hobbies are downright deadly. As a private mercenary and a mixed martial arts fighter, he could never let such an innocent soul into his world. And yet his most grueling combat training is no match for Violet’s killer curves, hot touch, and suggestive glances. Now all of Cain’s most explosive fantasies are coming true—but once they cross the line between friends and lovers, there’s no turning back.

See the full series here

 

13. Ginger’s Heart (a modern fairytale) by Katy Regnery

Once upon a time there were two cousins:
one golden like the sun,
one dark like midnight,
one a protector,
one a predator,
one a Woodsman
and
one a Wolf…
both owning equal,
but different,
parts of a little girl’s heart.

In this modern retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood,” the woodsman and the wolf are cousins, and Little Red is the girl with whom they both fall in love.

Beautiful Ginger McHuid, daughter of Kentucky’s premiere horse breeder, grows up on her family farm, best friends with Cain Wolfram, the son of her father’s Stallion Manager, and Cain’s cousin, Josiah Woodman, son of a local banker. Throughout their happy childhood, the three are inseparable friends, but as they mature into adults, complicated feelings threaten to destroy their long history of friendship and love.

*****
This is a standalone novel inspired by Little Red Riding Hood. Contemporary Romance: Due to profanity and very strong sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

(The next standalone a modern fairytale novel, Don’t Speak, inspired by The Little Mermaid, will be released in 2017.)

*****
Ginger’s Heart is part of the a modern fairytale collection, which will include five standalone, unrelated novels:

The Vixen and the Vet (Beauty & the Beast) – available now
Never Let You Go (Hansel & Gretel) – available now
Ginger’s Heart (Little Red Riding Hood) – available March 22, 2016

 

14. The Big O (The Virgin Diaries) by HJ Bellus

A ROMANTIC COMEDY
Sense of humor required

The ocean…October, outdoors, orange… All O’s that sneaky damn letter.

I need the O. Crave the O, even dream about the bastard.

My name is Olivia and this is my virgin diary. Yep, at the ripe age of 24 I’m single and O-less. And to top it all off, with a shiny cherry, I’m a first grade teacher.

Not much hope meeting Prince Charming in my workplace.

I live with my hyper Yorkie and wild imagination. And I despise the letter O.

Follow Olivia Olander in her wild and hysterical journey as she hunts down the elusive O.

She may hate the obscure O now, but Officer Oren O’Brien hasn’t lit up her world.

Will Olivia ever learn to love the O or be cursed with its lingering presence the rest of her life?

Find out in the virgin diaries.

 

15. Sex Snob by Elizabeth Hayley

Twenty-nine year old wild, carefree, and brutally sarcastic Amanda Bishop thought her three rules for dating would weed out unworthy suitors. And they did. Until she met Shane Reed, her smart-ass, sexy-as-sin CrossFit coach who pushes all her buttons. He’s the man she loves to hate. But when the hate begins to ebb away, and is replaced by feelings she can’t handle, Amanda hides behind her rules. Will the electric chemistry she feels with Shane allow her to get beyond a painful past, or will she push him away with her rules? Rules that make her the ultimate Sex Snob…This novel is a spin-off to our first book Pieces of Perfect, but can be read as a stand-alone novel.

 

16. Dick: A Bad Boys Novel by RC Stephens

From the best selling author of the Twisted Series, comes a sexy new standalone novel.
Dick will be on sale for 99 cents for a limited time. Then it will go up to the regular price of $2.99

My name is Dixon Crawford—my friends call me Dick.
I’m rich, divorced and I have two small kids.
When it comes to women, I like to play the field. I don’t want to ever be tied down again.
I met Eden at a Presidential gala and, yes, I was intrigued. When school started in September I was shocked to learn Eden was my son’s kindergarten teacher…
I’d slept around with the lonely rich mothers at the school and had earned a reputation.
A reputation Eden knew about…
Eden was on the untouchable list—the band on her finger screamed, “I’m taken.” But when she got into trouble with her husband she asked me for help and I obliged.
I soon discovered that innocent Eden had secrets of her own. I also discovered she was beyond tempting. Giving her a little friendly help turns into something bigger than I ever imagined….
My name is Dick. I’m told I’m an asshole, but you will need to read my story and decide for yourself!

Authors Note: Dick is a 90,000 word full length standalone novel. No cliffhanger. Due to strong language and sexual content this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

 

17. Hidden Scars by AM Myers

Emma Harrington is an intelligent, confident, sweet and sassy woman.

Or she was…before him.

Emma sets out to rebuild her life and find the person she once was. A wrench is thrown into her plans when she meets Phoenix West, a sexy as hell, smooth-talking tattoo artist.

As soon as Nix meets Emma, he knows he’s found something special. He can’t deny their connection and despite her reluctance, Nix slowly works his way through her hidden scars and into her heart.

Just when Emma starts to breathe again, her fear resurfaces, threatening her hopes for the future.

Will she ever be free to live the life she truly wants? Or will her torturous past finally catch up to her?

 

18. Lust Thy Neighbor by Emily Snow

When Violet Kelly’s Prince Charming turns out to be a d-bag in designer clothing, she decides she’s done with relationships. She doesn’t want the drama, and she certainly doesn’t need it. She’s perfectly content to not be involved with anyone if that means her heart won’t be ripped to shreds again.

But then Declan Pierce moves in next door.

Sarcastic and too good-looking for his own damn good, her new neighbor’s only goal is to survive raising the teenage brother he’s now responsible for. He definitely isn’t looking for a new relationship, especially after his last girlfriend ended up being monogamously-impaired. Too bad Declan never anticipated meeting someone like Violet. She’s irresistible—an intoxicating mixture of sexy and sweet—and he’s having a hard time staying on his side of the fence.

When flames ignite between them, will Violet and Declan be able to keep their casual, neighbors-with-benefits status? Or will L-U-S-T turn into that other four-letter L word they’re both desperate to avoid?

 

19. Bounty (Colorado Mountain Series Book 7) by Kristen Ashley

Justice Lonesome has enjoyed a life of bounty.

Even so, she’s inherited the curse of the Lonesome. A poet’s soul. Which means she’s still searching for something. Searching for peace. Searching for the less…that’s more.

And when the foundation of her life is pulled out from under her, grieving, she goes to the mountains to find her oasis. She hits Carnal, Colorado and decides to stay.

Deke Hightower lost everything at the age of two. He lost it again at fifteen. His life has not been about bounty. It’s been about learning to live with less, because there’s no way to get more.

Deke’s also watched all his friends go down to the women who gave them what they needed. He wants that for himself. But he knows that search isn’t going to be easy because he’s a rider. His home is the road. That’s the only place he can breathe. And the woman who takes her place at his side has to do it sitting on the back of his bike.

When Deke meets Justice, he knows she’s not that woman. She’s cute. She’s sweet. And she’s into him, but she’s got it all and Deke knows he won’t fit into that. So he holds her at arm’s length. Establishes boundaries. And Justice will take it because she wants Deke any way he’ll let her have him.

But when Justice finds herself a pawn in a dangerous game, Deke makes a decision.

When he does, he has no idea he’s just opened himself up to bounty.

See the series order here. See the Complete Guide to Kristen Ashley here.

See My 5 star review

 

20. (tie) Never Tear Us Apart by Monica Murphy

Crazy how eight years can disappear in an instant. One look at Katie Watts, and I’m a fifteen-year-old again–the one who risked everything to save a terrified girl from her twisted kidnapper. She’s grown-up now–beautiful, quiet, composed–and telling her story to the world. A story that involves me in more ways than you can imagine. She used to call me her guardian angel. Sure, I risked my life, but she was worth dying for.

I need to make contact with her. Just to ensure that she’s safe.

Somehow we reconnect. We become friends . . . but I want more. I want to make her mine. And she wants me too. Does she know who I am? Has she figured me out? Not yet. But she will. In the meantime, I need to make sure that whatever hold that animal had on her is gone.

So, yeah, I’m stealing these moments with her. Savoring them. Knowing, dreading, that she’ll soon find out who I really am. And everything will fall apart. All because of that twisted, perverted monster sitting on death row. Her kidnapper. A convicted serial killer.

My father.

 

20. (tie) Breaking Her (Love is War Book 2) by RK Lilley

The epic conclusion to Scarlett and Dante’s story.
Breaking Her
The Love is War Duet: Book Two
DESTRUCTION. BETRAYAL. RUINATION.
TRUE LOVE.
SCARLETT
He had done it again. Ravaged me. Burned me. Broken me.
Given me air, only to leave me gasping, writhing.
But then something changed. Something that terrified and excited me both.
Something that utterly destroyed me.
Something that made me whole again.
DANTE
Our love was cursed from the start. She didn’t know it, but I did.
All she knew was that I’d lied to her, betrayed her. Done unforgivable things. Unavoidable things. Yes, I had broken promises as surely as I had broken her heart. But, just as every war has casualties, and every lie has consequences–every bastard has his reasons.

See my 5 star review

Series: Breaking Him (Love is War Book 1) | Breaking Her (Love is War book 2)

REVIEW RECAP

Book Review – Forever Pucked by Helena Hunting

 

 

“He fits himself between my legs, his monster erection making contact with the Land of Beave. So of course I moan, because what other sound is there that adequately expresses my love for him and his super special penis?”

It was such a nice surprise that Forever Pucked was a full length book and not just a short wedding story. As funny as Violet is, there was some very serious issues that happened in the book. I loved being back in the Pucked world, especially with Violet and Alex, but to me sometimes it was just too much. Like Violet became a caricature of her already silly self. That being said, I still really enjoyed the book, and I am hoping for a Lance book!

See my full review

Book Review – Bounty by Kristen Ashley

 

“Suddenly, he was the only man there. The only man at the bar. The only man in the universe. The only man breathing. The only man for me.” 

Kristen Ashley has done it again. Another amazing, long, juicy, well fleshed out book filled with emotion, fun, and amazing secondary characters. Justice was one of my favorite KA heroines, she was totally cool and I loved that she made friends with everyone in town quickly, and we got to visit with all the characters we have grown to love from this series and others. Though it followed a similar path to other KA books, it was still very much it’s own story and the cast of new characters was a great addition to the old ones we love. Once again, Kristen Ashley wowed me with Bounty, and I’m itching to do a re-read on audio now.

See my full review

Audiobook Review – Rebel by Skye Jordan

“Are you just going to stand there and stare?” she asked. “It’s kinda…rude.” His gaze drifted up and met hers. Those deep gray eyes were heavy lidded and on fire. “Would it be less rude to throw you down on the table and fuck you?”

Skye Jordan knows how to write great banter and sexy dirty talkers. I enjoyed the writing, but I wish the characters were together a bit more. Rubi just fought a little too hard for too long when we knew she wanted him. Wes was just perfect, and I love that he went after what he wanted. I look forward to the next in the series!

See the full review

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