Cover Reveal: Asa (Marked Men #6) by Jay Crownover

Coming April 21st!!!

Starting over in Denver with a whole new circle of friends and family, Asa Cross struggles with being the man he knows everyone wants him to be and the man he knows he really is. A leopard doesn’t it change its spots and Asa has always been a predator. He doesn’t want to hurt those who love and rely on him, especially one stunning arresting cop who suddenly seems to be interested in him for far more than his penchant for breaking the law. But letting go of old habits is hard, and it’s easy to hit bottom when it’s the place you know best.

Royal Hastings is quickly learning what the bottom looks like after a tragic situation at work threatens not only her career but her partner’s life. As a woman who has only ever had a few real friends she’s trying to muddle through her confusion and devastation all alone. Except she can’t stop thinking about the sexy southern bartender she locked up. Crushing on Asa is the last thing she needs but his allure is too strong to resist. His long criminal record can only hurt her already shaky career and chasing after a guy who has no respect for the law or himself can only end in heartbreak.

A longtime criminal and a cop together just seems so wrong . . . but for Asa and Royal, being wrong together is the only right choice to make.

Marked Men - Reading order and purchase links

    

Rule: My review - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

Jet: My review - Amazon - Kindle -Book Depository

Rome: My review - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

    

Nash: Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

Rowdy: My review - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

Asa: Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

The Author

Jay Crownover is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men series. She also introduced the dark and sexy world of The Point that started with BETTER WHEN HE's BAD and is currently working on her newest series The Saint of Denver. Like her characters, she is a big fan of tattoos. She loves music and wishes she could be a rock star, but since she has no aptitude for singing or instrument playing, she'll settle for writing stories with interesting characters that make the reader feel something. She lives in Colorado with her three dogs.

Connect with Jay Crownover:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Review: Rowdy (Marked Men #5) by Jay Crownover

After the only girl he ever loved told him that he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and set out to live up to his nickname. A good ol’ boy looking for good times and good friends, Rowdy refuses to take anything too seriously, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Burned by love once, he isn’t going to let himself trust a woman again. But that’s before his new co-worker arrives, a ghost from the past who’s suddenly making him question every lesson he ever learned.

Salem Cruz grew up in house with too many rules and too little fun—a world of unhappiness she couldn’t wait to forget. But one nice thing from childhood has stayed with her; the memory of the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been head over heels in love with her little sister.

Now, fate and an old friend have brought her and Rowdy together, and Salem is determined to show him that once upon a time he picked the wrong sister. A mission that is working perfectly—until the one person that ties them together appears, threatening to tear them apart for good.

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from this one. The way Nash ended I was definitely intruiged about Salem and what that connection was between her and Rowdy. From all the guys, he seemed to be the one with the least issues, except unable to commit to one woman. He's technically a nice guy and a great friend, so I wasn't expecting too much drama. All in all it really wasn't that much now, but his or their past gave us some serious tension.

One of the more interesting parts was, to me, the fact that Salem was older than Rowdy. At their current age, this isn't an issue, but it did have effect on how everything developed in the past. When Salem turned eighteen, she hightailed out of town the next day never looking back and leaving behind one lost boy who saw the people in his life always going. When they were young Salem and Rowdy had this connection. She was his biggest supporter, so when she left Rowdy started holding on to the one secure thing, her sister Poppy.

I don't want to get into too much detail, because that would spoil everything, but while indeed the sister is the biggest issue for Salem I completely misjudged the situation. I was surprised how less serious this was. Salem misunderstood the entire situation and that causes some serious friction between her and Rowdy. Meanwhile he's afraid now that Salem is back, that she might leave him again. So we have these two main characters rekindling that past connection while discovering this also more carnal attraction. Things go relatively smoothly once they stop being stubborn, though when Poppy shows up, so does the insecurities and doubt.

While I abslutely loved Rowdy and Salem, this isn't my favourite book in the series. Mostly the blown out of proportion situation with Poppy and Rowdy, was what held me back from saying this was a fantastic read. The whole twist at the ending though, definitely added some extra action I could enjoy. I still love the whole dynamic in this group of friends and will continue reading the next books. So this was a fun and sexy book, with some minimal heavy drama. Fans of the series will enjoy it, but if this is the first book you want to read by Jay Crownover, I recommend you start with Rule though.

3.5

Marked Men - Reading order and purchase links

    

Rule: My review - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

Jet: My review - Amazon - Kindle -Book Depository

Rome: My review - Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

  

Nash: Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

Rowdy: Amazon - Kindle - Book Depository

The Author

Being native Coloradan is a source of pride if you ask Jay. She loves all the things her home has to offer, and that is why she set her books in this familiar place. Writing about what she knows is why her stories feature plenty of rock and roll and body modification.

Jay has been a bartender since she was in college, spending over forty hours a week watching interactions between men and women. This 9 to 5 job offered great insights into relationships - how they start and how they evolve in a social setting.

This cutting-edge author likes to write New Adult novels because she remembers being in her early twenties and thinking she had it all figured out, only to be proven wrong time and time again. When she looks back, she see's that those years defined who she is today, and, good or bad, those decisions ultimately set her current path.

Connect with Jay Crownover:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Excerpt & Giveaway: Rowdy (Marked Men #5) by Jay Crownover

We are over the moon excited to bring you the Release Day Launch for ROWDY by Jay Crownover!! ROWDY is the fifth novel in her Marked Men Series published by William Morrow, and imprint of HarperCollins and you do NOT want to miss it!

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling Marked Men series continues with this sizzling, sexy story of love, heartbreak, fate, and second chances.

After the only girl he ever loved told him that he would never be enough, Rowdy St. James knocked the Texas dust off his boots and set out to live up to his nickname. A good ol’ boy looking for good times and good friends, Rowdy refuses to take anything too seriously, especially when it comes to the opposite sex. Burned by love once, he isn’t going to let himself trust a woman again. But that’s before his new co-worker arrives, a ghost from the past who’s suddenly making him question every lesson he ever learned.

Salem Cruz grew up in house with too many rules and too little fun—a world of unhappiness she couldn’t wait to forget. But one nice thing from childhood has stayed with her; the memory of the sweet, blue-eyed boy next door who’d been head over heels in love with her little sister.

Now, fate and an old friend have brought her and Rowdy together, and Salem is determined to show him that once upon a time he picked the wrong sister. A mission that is working perfectly—until the one person that ties them together appears, threatening to tear them apart for good.

WHEN I PUT THE key he had given me in the door to his apartment it felt like the end of a long journey. Really it was only a little over twelve hours and I had stopped to nap once along the way, but it still felt like too long since I had seen his face or been able to touch all that toned and tattooed skin. Jimbo greeted me at the door when I pushed it open. His tongue lolled out of his mouth and he jumped up and put his paws on my legs. He was going to be huge when he finally grew into his fuzzy body and I was overwhelmed at how happy I was to see him. I dropped to my knees and rubbed my face in his neck as he licked me all over my face. I was obviously missed and I had to say it was just one more reason I knew I was finally where I was supposed to be. It was late, so the apartment was dark.

I checked the dog’s food and water, trying to be quiet in case Rowdy was already asleep. I was winding my way toward his bedroom when a haphazardly discarded sketch pad lying on the couch caught my eye in the dim light. I paused for a minute to pick it up and felt my heart stop and then start to race as I flipped through the first few pages. There were a couple of drawings that were obviously for clients, tattoos that hadn’t made it from paper to skin yet, but most of the pristine white pages were covered with images wearing my face. There was mermaid me, and naughty- sailor- girl me. There was sassy Indian girl me with long Pocahontas braids and there was sexy devil me standing next to angelic me. There were dozens of them all in different shapes and sizes, but every single image was undoubtedly modeled after my distinct look. I wasn’t sure if he had drawn them all over this last week while I had been gone or over the months we had been chasing each other in circles.

Either way it made my heart swell and the full certainty that I was it for him settle deep inside my bones. I set the pad down and tiptoed through the hall. Jimbo took one look at where I was going and huffed out a disgusted- sounding snort. The poor guy had learned early on that he wanted no part of what happened between his humans when they were together in the bedroom. The light was off and Rowdy was sprawled on his stomach across the covers. His blond hair was sticking up every- where and he hand one arm bent up under his head. The only thing that could have made the sight better would have been if he hadn’t bothered with the black boxers before crashing out.

Even with them obscuring the view, I couldn’t complain. I let out a breathless sigh and crept closer so that I could lean over and touch my lips to that anchor on the side of his neck. I felt his pulse leap and tasted the salt on his skin as he murmured sleepily and rolled over onto his back. Those infinitely blue eyes glowed at me in the dark as a grin pulled up the corner of his mouth.

“Hey.”

Marked Men - Reading order and purchase links

    

Rule: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Jet: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Rome: My review - Amazon - Kindle

  

Nash: Amazon - Kindle

Rowdy: Amazon - Kindle 

The Author

Being native Coloradan is a source of pride if you ask Jay. She loves all the things her home has to offer, and that is why she set her books in this familiar place. Writing about what she knows is why her stories feature plenty of rock and roll and body modification.

Jay has been a bartender since she was in college, spending over forty hours a week watching interactions between men and women. This 9 to 5 job offered great insights into relationships - how they start and how they evolve in a social setting.

This cutting-edge author likes to write New Adult novels because she remembers being in her early twenties and thinking she had it all figured out, only to be proven wrong time and time again. When she looks back, she see's that those years defined who she is today, and, good or bad, those decisions ultimately set her current path.

Connect with Jay Crownover:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Rome (Marked Men #3) by Jay Crownover

Sometimes the wrong choice can be just right . . .

Fun and fearless, Cora Lewis knows how to keep her tattooed "bad boy" friends at the Marked in line. But beneath all that flash and sass is a broken heart. Cora won't let herself get burned again. She's waiting to fall in love with the perfect man—a baggage-free, drama-free guy ready for commitment. Then she meets Rome Archer.

Rome Archer is as far from perfect as a man can be. He's stubborn, rigid, and bossy. And he's returned from his final tour of duty more than a little broken. Rome's used to filling many roles: big brother, doting son, supersoldier—but none of those fit anymore. Now he's just a man trying to figure out what to do with the rest of his life while keeping the dark demons of war and loss at bay. He would have been glad to suffer through it alone, until Cora comes sweeping into his life and becomes a blinding flash of color in a sea of gray. Perfect may not be in the cards, but perfectly imperfect could just last forever . . .

When Rome returns from his last tour of duty, something has changed. Gone is the optimistic, always keeping the peace, happy guy. Instead we get dronken, moody, captain No Fun. His life is kind of up in the air and he has no clue what to do with it. Every night waking up from nightmares, having no clear path or goal in his life is starting to take its toll. Everyone around him are trying to keep it safe and peaceful, just waiting for him to come back to them.

Cora isn't really the waiting type. She doesn't know the big Archer brother that well, but when his behaviour is hurting her friends, she is ready to throw things down and get all up in his case. Which is exactly what she does, tell him as she sees it and who cares if he doesn't like it.

Getting yelled at by Cora, seems to be the first moment Rome is really awake after coming back. He actually doesn't mind the way she behaved, making him clearly see that things need to change. Her getting all up in his face even catches his attention on a more primal level, he likes the Half Pint. Cora can not deny the hotness that is Rome and soon things get out out of hand.

Things seem to be going well between them, except Rome needs to learn to let Cora in, not keep pushing everyone around him away. They love him and are there for him. Cora meanwhile has been all about proclaiming to find the perfect guy and well Rome is far from perfect, but it seems she likes him well enough. While Rome is doing his best and slowly giving her his all, it's actually Cora who starts holding back.

So lot's and lot's of drama, I love it. Cora is simply wonderful and amazing. That mouth just won't stop talking, I love how direct she is, while it's still obvious she has this softer side. She's the girl you wish as a friend, always having your back, supporting you and caring.

Rome seems more of the strong and silent type. Though when he has something to say, you better listen. He's always been the protector and I love how he shows that towards his friends and Cora. This is a guy who's purpose in life is to be needed and now he needs to find a way to mix that in his normal day to day life.

The chemistry between these two was off the charts. Steamy and hot does not even begin to describe it. Though it was the more quiet and real moments, that really stole my heart. It was not just action, there is intimacy between them that makes you connect with them.

Another awesome book in the Marked Men series. We also get to see the other characters again and some of the developments they've made. This is a group of friends/family I wish I was a part of.

4.5

Marked Men - Reading order and purchase links

    

Rule: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Jet: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Rome: Amazon - Kindle

  

Nash: Amazon - Kindle

Rowdy: Amazon - Kindle (Oct. 21)

The Author

Being native Coloradan is a source of pride if you ask Jay. She loves all the things her home has to offer, and that is why she set her books in this familiar place. Writing about what she knows is why her stories feature plenty of rock and roll and body modification.

Jay has been a bartender since she was in college, spending over forty hours a week watching interactions between men and women. This 9 to 5 job offered great insights into relationships - how they start and how they evolve in a social setting.

This cutting-edge author likes to write New Adult novels because she remembers being in her early twenties and thinking she had it all figured out, only to be proven wrong time and time again. When she looks back, she see's that those years defined who she is today, and, good or bad, those decisions ultimately set her current path.

Connect with Jay Crownover:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads

Review: Jet (Marked Men #2) by Jay Crownover

With his tight leather pants and a sharp edge that makes him dangerous, Jet Keller is every girl’s rock and roll fantasy. But Ayden Cross is done walking on the wild side with bad boys. She doesn’t want to give in to the heat she sees in Jet’s dark, haunted eyes. She’s afraid of getting burned from the sparks of their spontaneous combustion, even as his touch sets her on fire.

Jet can’t resist the Southern Belle with mile-long legs in cowboy boots who defies his every expectation. Yet the closer he feels to Ayden, the less he seems to know her. While he’s tempted to get under her skin and undo her in every way, he knows firsthand what happens to two people with very different ideas about relationships.

Will the blaze burn into an enduring love. . . or will it consume their dreams and turn them to ashes?

After Ayden almost propositioned Jet last year and him turning her down, because she's just too good and he would ruin her, things have been a little tense between them. It doesn't help of course that they are now living in the same house and she has a front seat to all the girls doing the walk of shame. She needs to remind herself over and over again, he isn't the guy for her. Though things aren't that easy for him either, every time she opens her mouth that Southern accent has got him all worked up.

The tension can only grow so much, before there is a combustion and what an explosion it is. Sexy and hot doesn't nearly begin to describe what happens between these two. Ayden finally gets what she wants, though Jet doesn't really fit into her whole five-year-plan, she can no longer deny him. When Jet wants to deepen their connection and might even want to take things serious, it seems Ayden is not ready for that.

I was really surprised by what she was hiding. The only she took with her from back home was her accent, everything else stayed back. Ayden is no longer the same girl and does not ever want to revisit that. Unfortunately the past always has a way to find you. Keeping everyone at distance, including Jet, is the safest, even if this means breaking both their hearts.

Jet past hasn't been easy and his parents weren't really a prime example of a healthy relationship, leaving him with a lot of doubts. Still Jet is passionate in all the things he does in life and gives it his all, which now includes Ayden. At least that is what he hopes. For a relationship both parties need to want it and put in the effort, things certainly aren't that easy for them.

Ayden was a bit of a mystery to me. Her past really took me by surprise, as it was way more serious than I imagined. I had some trouble connecting with her, as she is completely different than I. The struggles I could get, though keeping everyone at a distance, letting no one close enough to really know her, seems hurtful towards the people around her. They all love her, but the past just isn't easy to overcome.

Jet took me by surprise. He seemed such a relaxed kind of guy, which wasn't the case. Intense, passionate, talented, anger management issues seem more fitting for him. Though I absolutely adored those sweet scenes between him and Ayden, showing me he does has a softer side. You just don't want to get on his bad side, I guess.

Jay Crownover has again written a wonderful story. I started reading this a little after midnight and didn't put it down until it was finished. It was so good and I was so tired at the end, but I just needed to finish it.

Marked Men - Reading order and purchase links

    

Rule: My review - Amazon - Kindle

Jet: Amazon - Kindle

Rome: Amazon - Kindle

  

Nash: Amazon - Kindle

Rowdy: Amazon - Kindle (Oct. 21)

The Author

Being native Coloradan is a source of pride if you ask Jay. She loves all the things her home has to offer, and that is why she set her books in this familiar place. Writing about what she knows is why her stories feature plenty of rock and roll and body modification.

Jay has been a bartender since she was in college, spending over forty hours a week watching interactions between men and women. This 9 to 5 job offered great insights into relationships - how they start and how they evolve in a social setting.

This cutting-edge author likes to write New Adult novels because she remembers being in her early twenties and thinking she had it all figured out, only to be proven wrong time and time again. When she looks back, she see's that those years defined who she is today, and, good or bad, those decisions ultimately set her current path.

Connect with Jay Crownover:

Website - Facebook - Twitter - Goodreads