I'm a Book Shark: Blog Tour & Review -- Stronger With Her by JA Hensley

Title: Stronger With Her

Author: JA Hensley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: November 1, 2015

Stephanie’s life has been on auto pilot for years. Growing up a child prodigy with a troubled family does that to a woman. Her job as a computer tech just reinforces her invisibility. She wants to be seen, to be noticed, and her solution is working part-time as a dancer. What she wants more than anything else, is to be known.

James suffered a tragic loss four years ago and has since kept his focus on work. He’s built Owens Ammunition from the ground up to be a very successful company. When his buddy makes him attend a birthday party, he’s forced to go outside his comfort zone. That’s when he sees her on stage and his world shifts on its axis.

One night, one dance, one fateful meeting that changes two lives forever. Will he find that he’s stronger with her?

“Now coming to the main stage is The Shady Sprocket’s very own Vixen!” Paul turns around, practically jumping out of his seat to get closer to the stage. I shake my head and sit back down, effectively moving as far away from the stage as possible. If Paul’s excitement is any indication of how this girl is, my bladder will have to wait so I can watch him make an ass of himself.

All the lights dim as the spotlight focuses on the curtains at the back of the stage. The opening chords of Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me” are blaring through the speakers, and I roll my eyes at the cliché song. Every stripper uses this one at some point. The curtains open and this tiny woman wearing platform heels, a black leather halter top and the tiniest skirt with zippers up both sides that barely covers her ass slinks out from backstage.

To be fair, everyone is tiny compared to me but she can’t be taller than five and a half feet without her stripper shoes. Walking slowly and seductively up the stage, looking at the men like she wants to eat them, she stops at the pole, leans her back against it and slides down to the floor. She humps the floor a couple times, bounces up to her feet, reaches behind and pulls herself up the pole. She spins around slowly and as she does she slides down, ending in the splits. This routine continues for the duration of the song. All the while, men are throwing money at the stage and vying for her attention while she takes her clothes off, leaving her in just heels and the tiniest black thong on earth.

Just as the song reaches the bridge, she looks directly at me. I find that I can’t look away, like there’s something holding my gaze to hers.

With long black hair, sparkling blue eyes, and plump red lips begging to be kissed, she’s beautiful. There’s no denying it, but it’s something else. I watch her on the stage, twirling on the pole and she looks . . . happy. Most of the women in here look bored like they’re trying to imagine themselves anywhere else. This woman, however, is smiling and enjoying herself; showing off her gorgeous tits as she hangs upside down, sliding toward the stage slowly. My friends have been dragging me here for years, and I’ve never seen anything like it. Obviously, neither have the rest of these men who are going crazy. I can’t believe the sight in front of me of grown men practically crawling over each other to get closer to the stage.

The bouncers must hate this. My friends are in the thick of the crowd, and I shake my head. Being over six five, I don’t have any problem watching the show from where I am. Def Leppard continues to blare out of the speakers, and she moves perfectly with the music. She’s really good and she knows it, teasing and wiggling just enough to keep the dollar bills floating to the stage. Why have I never seen her before and why can’t I take my eyes off her? I feel like I’m under some sort of spell, drawn in by a force I can’t explain but not wanting to fight it at all. It’s not lust; it’s something else.

She smiles and winks at me just before spinning one more time to land on the floor in the splits as the music comes to an end to the loudest cheers I’ve ever heard in here. This girl knows what she’s doing.

The volume of the crowd is deafening as they chant, “Vixen! Vixen!” It takes two men to help her pick up all the money on the stage but she walks slowly around the stage lifting the bills and giving everyone a little bit more attention. I follow her every move, unable to look away. When she finally makes her way backstage, the spell is broken, and I feel like a part of me is missing. What the fuck is that about? I throw back the shot that has apparently been waiting for me and shake my head to clear it.

"Why have I never seen her before and why can't I take my eyes off her? I feel like I'm under some sort of spell, drawn in by a force I can't explain but not wanting to fight it at all. It's not lust; it's something else."

I FLOVE JAMES AND STEPHANIE!!!

They each had their own story to tell. Inside those stories were tragedies and regret. I was pulled in from the beginning and couldn't stop reading!

Stephanie witnessed something no one should ever watch! It altered her life forever, but with tragedy can come redemption. And that would be in the form of a very tall, very handsome stranger one chance night.

James aka Runt lived a life of work and family. Never room for romance, or even a fling. He is keeping a painful past locked away and doesn't want it to be let out. Until one day when he knows that his life is about to change forever. But is he ready?

"You deserve to be worshiped every day. You are exquisite."

I love how this book tells two stories that eventually come together as one. They each are struggling, not only with the past, but the feelings they aren't sure about. JA Hensley was able to make this happen by making these characters so easy to love and root for!

You also catch up with some friends from Stronger With Him, and some new ones in the form of Runt's big brothers...all four of them!! Each adding their own mix into the story. I would love to read each of their stories, but I know that's a stretch.....*hint hint wink wink* ;)

I loved every minute of this book! The storyline, the characters, the backstory...it's all wonderful!

Well done, JA Hensley!!!

"What are you saying? I know what I hope it is."

"What do you hope it is?"

"I hope that you're about to tell me that you feel something for me and you don't want to let me go. I want you in my life. You've invaded my brain, taken up permanent residence in my thoughts, and I don't want anything more than for you to be there in my arms."

"I want all of that too."

J.A. Hensley's debut novel, Wedding Dreams, was named an Amazon Erotica Best Seller. She loves smut of all kinds and is a reader first. J.A. is constantly working on a new project, whether it's writing or working in her craft room. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter, and spends her days teaching college students about social work and human sexuality.