Books I'm Grateful I Read! Blog Hop & Giveaway

I am so excited to be a part of the Books I'm Grateful I Read Blog Hop, hosted by Stuck In Books!  This hop is to celebrate books that we are sooooooooooooooooo glad we read.  And while my list of books over time is HUGE, there was one book in particular this year that I was so thankful that I read.

I received Bound from the publisher at the first of the year for review.  I had never read anything by Lorelei James, but I'd heard so many amazing things about her books.  So, one night, when I was in a lull between books, I decided to pick it up and read a few chapters.  A few chapters?!?!  HA!  I ended up staying awake all night and finishing this book.  It was phenomenal!  I fell in love with the characters, the story itself was unique, and all of the elements the author brought in to the book came together beautifully.  It wasn't just a book for me... it was quite the experience.  

To my surprise, a sequel to the book showed up just two months later and once again, I was up all night reading Unwound.  

Sometimes it's something you least expect to have such a tremendous impact on you as a reader.  Thanks to Lorelei James and Bound, I have a new favorite series that I'm just DYING to continue reading.  The first novella of the series, Schooled, is set to release at the end of the year, and the next novel, Unraveled, is being released in March.  This is going to be a REALLY long few months of waiting!

Learn more about the books of Lorelei James' Mastered Series: 

Former small-town girl Amery Hardwick is living her dream as a graphic designer in Denver, Colorado. She’s focused on building her business, which leaves little time for dating—not that she needs a romantic entanglement to fulfill her. When her friend signs up for a self-defense class as part of her recovery after an attack, Amery joins her for support. That’s where she meets him.

Ronin Black, owner of the dojo, is so drawn to Amery that he takes over her training—in public and in private. The enigmatic Ronin pushes Amery’s boundaries from the start, and with each new tryst, Amery becomes addicted to the pleasure and to him. But when Amery senses Ronin is hiding something, she questions her total trust in him, despite the undeniable thrill of his possession….

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads 

When sensei Ronin Black first encounters Amery Hardwick, the fire in her eyes ignites a sexual spark a thousand times better than the primal rush he used to get from mixed martial arts matches. She accepts his darker edges and admits to him that her desires aren’t as wholesome as he believed. And before long Ronin is grappling with emotions he’s never felt before….

Yet despite demanding Amery bare her body and soul to him, Ronin holds a part of himself back. When she learns Ronin’s secret and walks out, his life begins to unravel.  To regain her trust he must let go of his pride and prove to her that it’s more than passion binding them together. But after their private pleasures are made public, Ronin is unsure if he’s the right man for Amery. Can they face the consequences together? Or will their differences rip them apart?

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

When Amery Hardwick first met martial arts master Ronin Black, she wasn't ready for the level of his sensual artistry or his need for extreme control. Nor was she prepared for the primal urges it released in her. Amery and Ronin were made for each other.

When they married they were certain their future would be a fulfilling journey of love and passion. But happily ever after is never so simple. Six months later, while in Japan, Ronin is training with his sensei, while Amery is consumed by her own burgeoning career and a culture shock with which she is struggling to adapt.

Now, from the heady pleasures of Tokyo bondage houses to the unyielding family traditions pulsing with every beat of Ronin's heart, Amery and Ronin find the limits of their relationship tested once again, and shocked to discover what they're willing to do in order to save it.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Shiori Hirano and Knox Lofgren are left to run the martial arts program at Black Arts while Ronin Black travels. On the surface, the two highest ranked belts appear to cooperate—but in private, they butt heads constantly, despite the undeniable attraction between them. Soon their power exchanges start to make for a sweltering dynamic in the bedroom…

At first Knox is shocked to be living out his submissive desires, but Shiori sets out to prove that embracing his true sexual nature doesn’t make him a weak man. But even while their sexual relationship grants him a power and fulfillment he finds surprising, there’s no training regimen for the fight that comes with loving a strong woman.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

To celebrate this hop, I'm giving away a copy of Bound (your choice of eBook or paperback).  All you have to do is enter the rafflecopter below for your chance to win!  Thank you so much for stopping by, and remember to visit the rest of the blogs on the hop for even more great prizes! 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway