Comfort Reads

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild
Series-Tempting SEALs #2
Reviewed by Kay

This is the first full length novel in this series. It is about Clint McIntyre and Morganna Chavez. It starts with flashbacks. These two people grew up together. He was her brother's best friend and she was his sister's best friend. I know, it's kinda confusing. He's a SEAL and she an undercover DEA agent. He doesn't know she's an agent though. He has always loved her but he has demons that he feels make him no good for her. She has always loved him and has been constantly rebuffed by him.

This was my first full length novel of Lora Leigh's and definitely not my last. I found Clint an alpha male, which I love. Morganna was a strong and confident female who knew what she wanted. There's a BDSM undertone to this book but no real deep description about that world, which was perfect for me. I love this book for the unrequited love story. Add in the date rape drug story and what you get is a great read. Oh and the sex scenes set the pages to blazing.

Naked by Raine Miller

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-The Blackstone Affair #1


Ethan Blackstone is British and this novel takes place in London. He runs his security company and is very wealthy. He is also ex-Special Forces. This novel starts for him at an art show where he sees a nude art piece of the a young woman. He seems to become very interested in it.

Brynne Bennett is an American in London  for school, studying art. She poses for her friend to help make ends meet. She has no real family in London or England for that matter. She's also here to escape her past.

Their eyes connect across the art gallery and....here we go. The chemistry is wonderful and I liked the characters. Can't wait to hear about the pasts. You don't get closure about that in this book. Still a very good and engaging read. The revelation at the end of this book was a doozy and can't wait for that to play out. This is one of those 50 Shadesque books but like Sylvia Day's Crossfire Series, I think I like this better. A friend of mine suggested this series and I'm so very glad she did.

Ballroom Blitz by Lorelei James

Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-No series, but there is a McKay appearance.
Reviewed by Anne

I really enjoyed this contemporary novella.  Jon White Feather is something of a rockstar drummer in a Native American rockband.  His teenaged niece, Raven, talks him into attending a ballroom dance class with her while he's taking a break from touring and deciding what he wants to do next with his life.  Jon is a softy and easily agrees to take the class with Raven, though he warns her that he's not a very good dancer.  This turns out to be quite an understatement!  Jon is a horrible dancer, and Jon and Raven end up getting quite a bit of extra help in class because of his lack of rhythm. 

Maggie is teaching the class with her Gay Best Friend [TM] (that has to be a trademarked cliche somewhere right?)  The attraction between Jon and Maggie is immediate and intense.  Jon invites Maggie to come see him play.  She's heard of his band before, but has no idea what a huge following they have.  Jon asked her to stay after their set to see him, and she does.  When Jon comes out after the set, they are all over each other.  Unfortunately they get caught by a bevy of fans, AND Maggie's older brother.  Older Brother is NOT pleased to see Jon and his little sister together.  Right on the heels of this confrontation, the fans show up and Jon has to finish cleaning up and Maggie feels ignored and ends up heading home alone.  (I thought she gave up too easily here.)

Never fear, because Jon tracks her down and good times follow. The conflict in this book comes from Maggie and Jon's careers and whether they can make time for each other.  I thought this conflict was very believable!  At the same time, I didn't like the pacing of the resolution and the very end of the story.

Overall, the book was a winner for me.  Lorelei James writes good banter and good sex.  I smiled and laughed a lot.  Here's a favorite quote:

     "My life - sex and otherwise - has been very tame compared to yours."
     He flashed her that pure bad-boy grin. "Lucky thing you have me here to further your raunchy education."
     Maggie raised an eyebrow. "The student becoming the teacher? Bring it."
     "Well, I have had this fantasy of smacking your ass with a ruler."
     "Not a chance, little drummer boy. But if you do well on the oral exam I might let you bang my erasers."

This would have been an A read for me without my frustration with the pacing of the ending.  I still really enjoyed the story and would recommend it!

Elf on the Dirty Girls' Shelf -- The Elf Gets Ready

Today I found our elf getting ready for a little special time, applying some Strawberry Bliss Balm lip and body balm to some special parts.

Elf on the Shelf for Dirty Girls -- The Elf Likes to Watch

We enjoy the Elf on the Shelf tradition at our house, but my mind always takes it into the gutter.  This year I decided to share with you all.  Please enjoy a daily picture of the Elf on the Dirty Girls' shelf.  (I do believe we'll be on Santa's naughty list!)

Caden's Vow by Sarah McCarty

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Hell's Eight #6
Reviewed by Kay

This focus of this book is on Caden and Maddie. Caden is one of the Hell's Eight. Eight boys who were the only survivors of a massacre in the town they lived in. This attack happened when they were all boys and it bonded them all together. They had to survive on the streets until they were found by Tia, who took them in and basically saved their lives. They as adults built Hell's Eight Ranch and became Texas Rangers. Their reputations are fierce and well known.

Caden is tired of all the matrimonial bliss going on around him and decides to leave and find his own place in life. Maddie is also living at Hell's Eight. She escaped from a whorehouse she was born and raised in, taking refuge at Hell's Eight. She is love with Caden and it's a difficult situation. Maddie retreats in her own mind a lot. This causes others to see her as crazy or childlike.

I looked at some reviews of this book and was scared to read it. They were not favorable. I agree that Sarah McCarty has slipped with the last few books in this series. The last book I truly enjoyed by her was Tucker's. For me, Tracker's and Shadow's were borderline sub par. The stories were okay but the heat level was tanking and that was one of the reasons I have enjoyed her work so much in the past.

I loved everything about this book. I can't stress that enough. I think McCarty has hit her stride. The characters broke my heart, especially Maddie. She's always been viewed as fragile and for most of the book she is, but you know a little bit more why. She is an extremely damaged young woman. She was pimped out by her mom at age eight. She cares horrific self-esteem issues. I was furious at some comments made by Caden to her about her. I openly bawled several times in this book because of her view of what she deserved for circumstances in her life she had no control over. Her defense mechanism was too retreat inside her mind and with her past it is totally understandable. Fans of this series will cheer this book. It is my favorite in the series easily.

Take Me by Olivia Cunning

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Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series- One Night With Sole Regret #3
Reviewed by Kay

This story is about Jacob Silverton, lead singer for Sole Regret and Amanda Lange. It takes up where the second book ends. After one of their concerts, the band members have a rare night at home to spend as they wish. Jacob "Shade" is trying to get to his four year old daughters birthday party. His apprehension is due to the fact he'll have to interact with his ex-wife. To say their relationship is difficult is an understatement.

He arrives late because of an issue with his car, to a party he was never invited to just to be almost turned away by his ex. Luckily he gets to spend some time with his little girl. His ex sister in law offers him a ride home due to his transportation issue. He has always been attracted to smart girls and Amanda is plenty smart. Turns out she has always been attracted to him as well. They spend a night together and try to figure out where to go next.

I liked the very intense love scenes. I liked each character also. I did not like them as a couple. It had a major creep factor to it for me. I wanted to scream at them both. Why would a man sleep with the sister of his ex-wife that hates you and denies you regular visitation? How could one sister do that to another? Even if they were divorced? It was more than a little gross for me. If you won't have a problem with that, then you'll probably love this story.

Tempt Me by Olivia Cunning

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-One Night With Sole Regret #2
Reviewed by Kay

This is story two in the One Night With Sole Regret series. Sole Regret is a rock band with five members. This story focuses on one of the guitarists, Adam Taylor and his frequent hook-up, Madison Fairbanks. They've hooked up whenever he's in Dallas for the last year. They very much enjoy each other and the time they spend together. Madison met Adam as a counselor for substance abuse. He'd just survived a drug overdose and was in treatment.

Madison comes to the decision that this hook-up is their last because she's acknowledging that she had fallen in love with Adam. She knows their not seeing each other again will be painful but less painful than a broken heart. Adam has realized he's tired of non-discriminate hook-ups with random women. He gets almost giddy with anticipation when he thinks about Madison. He tries to keep it under wraps because his band mates would give him hell over it.  He realizes that Madison accepts him, past and all.

Each of these characters get an education about each other and what the other sees in and expects of them. Adam gets to find out that Madison accepts his rock star lifestyle even knowing she might not be able to handle being a part of it. Madison finds out that Adam has been keeping a few big secrets from her.

This story captivated  me from the first page and never stopped. I've been a huge fan of Olivia Cunning's from the beginning of the Sinners On Tour series. I have the third one of that series on my Kindle waiting! Can't wait! I recommend anything she writes although she writes something with time travel in it that haven't read. Read this story with a fan blowing on you because it's a scorcher.

Checkmate by R.L. Mathewson

 
Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Neighbor From Hell #3
Reviewed by Kay

This is book three from the Neighbor From Hell series. It features a non-Bradford male and a cousin of the Bradfords female. They are sworn enemies to the extreme. They've grown up since preschool with a never ending feud that rivals the Hatfields and Mccoys or the Montagues and Capulets. There was no murder involved although the authorities have been called in numerous times.

I enjoyed their relationship but it just wasn't as enthralling as the other two books for me. Funny but not as funny either. I did get a little giddy when the Bradford cousins showed up. I can't help it, they are too funny. There were some precious moments in this book and secondary story lines that tugged at your heart. You should definitely read it but I hope she goes back to a male Bradford next. Connor and Rory were entertaining but not near as big of eaters as I would've liked.

Comfort Reads

Reno's Chance by Lora Leigh
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Tempting SEALs #1

This is one of my comfort reads. It may not strike others as a comfort read but for me, absolutely. It started an addiction for me with Lora Leigh's SEALs. This is short story that spawned the series. It is about Reno Chavez and Raven McIntyre. Reno is a SEAL and several years older than Raven. Raven is the little sister of his best friend and SEAL teammate, Clint. She is also the best friend of Reno's little sister, Morganna. These two have been raised around each other's families through good times and bad.

I love Reno and not just a little bit either. A lot! He is alpha to the extreme but very patient with Raven. He's waited for her for years to be mature enough for a relationship with him and all that entails. Raven is adorable too. She has been in love with Reno for as long as she can remember. He kept her close but not as close as she would have liked. It has always been a balancing act for her because loving Reno may come with a steep price. Her father was a SEAL and was killed in action and she doesn't want to take a chance with her heart.

Watching the push and pull of this relationship always brings a smile to my face and has locked up a place in my heart forever for Lora Leigh. It doesn't hurt that it's hot as hell either.

Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-Animal Magnetism  #3
Reviewed by Kay

This is Adam and Holly's book. It starts out cute enough, with Holly needing Adam to help find her father. He's gone off into the mountain area surrounding their town and no one can reach him. Adam is big into Search & Rescue, so he helps her by going to look for her dad. Oh, by the way Adam and Holly were a couple many years ago. It ended with Adam leaving town for the military and Holly brokenhearted. Adam's tour in the military has left him emotionally scarred.

Holly goes with Adam on his seasrch and one thing leads to another. This is a second chance love story, which is usually one of my favorites. Unfortunately, I couldn't connect with the main characters at all. I couldn't see where Adam was anything at all to want to pursue a relationship with. I found myself not liking Holly because she was willing to accept any scraps of Adam's attention that he would throw her way.

If you are a big Shalvis fan and have read this series, then you should read this one also. Jill Shalvis is an auto-read for me, so while this book was not my fave it was still worth reading.

All He Ever Desired by Shannon Stacey

Grade-A Hotness Level- Blaze Kink Level-None Series- Kowalski Family #5 Reviewed by Kate and Anne note: there are some mild spoilers in this review Goodreads Blurb: A second shot at first love After college, Ryan Kowalski decided to leave Whitford, Maine, rather than watch Lauren Carpenter marry another man. Now his siblings need his help to refurbish the family-owned Northern Star Lodge and he's forced to face the past sooner rather than later when he collars a vandal—and learns the boy is Lauren's son… The last person Lauren needs back in her life is Ryan Kowalski. With a bitter ex-husband and a moody teenage son, she has enough man trouble already. But her son needs to learn a few lessons about right and wrong, even if Lauren has to escort him to Ryan's door every day to work off his crime. With all this close contact, Ryan and Lauren can't deny the chemistry between them is as powerful as ever. But can a few searing kisses erase their past and pave the way for a second chance at true love? Kate: Things I liked about this book: 1. This is not an easy romance. The hang ups that Ryan and Lauren have are genuine. And not one sided (it's not a case of one of them coming to terms with something while the other has no issues). 2. The resolution is realistic and satisfying. 3. The original Kowalski clan makes an appearance for Mitch and Paige's wedding, but it fits in the story instead of seeming forced. Things I did not like about this book: 1. I worry that the author is going to make Rosie sick with more than a flu/cold. 2. The author has made me care for too many secondary characters...Hailey, Rosie, and Andy. As well as making me curious about new character Tori. Well they get their HEAs, or will we be left guessing? My favorite parts of the book: 1. The scene when Nick walks in on Ryan and Lauren in bed. 2. When Dozer is trying to ask Ryan if he slept with Lauren but can't find the right words, so Josh helps out.

Anne:
I totally agree with you (with one exception mentioned below)! Here's what I'd add
Things I liked about this book:
1. There is some pretty hilarious dialouge in this book.  Here's just one example

His brother was quiet long enough that Ryan guessed he probably wouldn't like whatever came out of his mouth next. "I thought you guys were just fooling around.  I didn't realize it was that serious."
"You say that like it's a bad thing."
"No." Again with the hesitation.  "Just a lot of hurdles, that's all."
"I got a ribbon in track and field.  I can handle it."
Mitch laughed. "Dumbass, that was a participation ribbon. You sucked at track and field."

2. Kate said this, but it bears repeating.  It just felt so real.  There were things about it that weren't easy, but at the same time it felt worth it.
3.  I liked all the secondary characters and the building and background info for the rest of the series.

Things I did not like about this book:
1. I thought the resolution between Ryan and Lauren came a bit too easy.  No one said something really stupid, which surprised me.  And Ryan's self realization surprised me, too.  It's a romance, so it didn't surprise me that he had that moment where he realized he was being a jerk.  It did surprise me that he realized it himself and no one else had to tell him.  All in all, this was a minor thing for me.

My favorite parts of the book:
1. The continued references to Ryan being Lauren's "you know, whatever."
2. The glimpses of Mitch and Paige at their wedding and mentions of the huge shower in their new house.

So, that's a hearty recommend from both Anne and Kate.  Enjoy!

 

Pride and Pleasure by Sylvia Day

Grade-D
Hotness Level- Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series- None
Reviewed by Kay

Eliza is an heiress but one with a brain. After being pursued for five Seasons, she is looking forward to getting the sixth over with as well. If she doesn't find a man to settle down with, she will be allowed to take her inheritance and live her life as she wants.

Jasper is a thief-taker, which I thought of as a person who skirted the law. He has revenge on his mind and nothing will stop him from achieving it. He agrees to work for Eliza so he can keep her safe and an eye on one of her prospective suitors.

Both of these characters have secrets in their past. I did enjoy that part of this story but honestly that was about it. I have read Sylvia Day's historical novels before and never been a fan, but a friend suggested it to me. I thought I'd try it for her. She had used the word epic in her description of this book. Let me explain something, I love historical romance. Not just a little but an enormous amount. I believe my favorite genre is contemporary but I crave historical in a way that I don't contemporary. When I salivate over a possible epic historical, like I did this one, I worry. Worry about heightened expectations and possibilities of disappointment. I got that here in spades.

I love Mrs. Day's Crossfire Series and highly recommend it but not this book.

Suddenly You by Sarah Mayberry

 

Grade-A-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level No Kink
Series-this is a sequel to another book, but it stood alone well
Reviewed by Anne

Generally I like really hot and explicit books.  But there are a few authors who I really enjoy and would probably read even if the book had little to no sex.  Sarah Mayberry is one of those authors.  Thankfully, Suddenly Yours is a wonderful contemporary romance that also has some wonderful sex!

Pippa is a single mom of a 6 month old baby girl.  Harry is a pierced and tattooed mechanic with a heart of gold, and best mate (friend) to Pippa’s ex.  When Harry finds Pippa stranded on the side of the road with a broken down car, it is just the first in a series of meetings that lead to Harry realizing how much his mate has abandoned Pippa.  He’s torn between loyalty to his best mate and wanting to help Pippa out.  And wanting to help Pippa out is further complicated by the fact that they are attracted to each other.  That’s a complication neither of them really want, but they can’t ignore, even if neither is sure the other feels it.  On top of that, Harry is a confirmed man-whore.  He doesn’t do commitment.  He knows this and Pippa knows it, too.  This story, with no real bad guys, is all about what they do with that attraction and how they handle the challenges life throws at them.

There were so many things I enjoyed about this story!  I love the Australian setting and the way the author and publisher *don’t* Americanize the book’s language.  I’m smart enough to figure out the slang and I enjoy it!  I thought the realities of being a single parent were well handled.  It’s messy.  Pippa isn’t suing her ex for child support out of bitterness or for revenge.  She’s doing it because she’s struggling to make ends meet and she wants to be able to feed her daughter.  Pippa also has a temper that gets her into some situations.  This didn’t feel like an author contrivance to create conflict.  It felt like Pippa was a real person who flew off the handle now and then, especially when feeling embarrassed.  She also has a tendency to blurt things out.  This leads to a few more embarrassing moments, but it never felt over the top to me.  It felt real.  Here’s a good example I bookmarked.  Harry is doing some work at Pippa’s house and he’s up on a ladder while she’s down below.  He’s just politely told her that a button came undone on her shirt and he can see down it.  She’s embarrassed but when she looks up she sees “an impressive bulge” in his jeans.  Her mind is whirling.  Is it possible that he’s attracted to her, too?  Is that all because he’d seen down her shirt?  She’s busy with her inner monologue, convincing herself it would be foolish to act on anything when…

 

“Good coffee, Thanks.” He stepped toward her, coffering her the empty mug.

Her gaze slid down his broad chest and flat belly to his crotch.

“Is that for me?” The words slipped out of their own accord, born of too many nights alone and bone-deep curiosity and need.

It had been so long, and she was only human.

Harry’s gaze tracked to hers to his groin. She held her breath, waiting for him to respond, aware of the pulse of desire between her legs.

A slow smile curled Harry’s lips. “This, you mean?”

Pippa watched with dawning horror as he reached into his pocket and drew out a tub of filler.

His smile grew into an outright grin, his eyes dancing with mischief and amusement. “I’m not sure whether to be flattered or intimidated, to be honest,” he said, eyeing the tube assessingly.

Pippa opened her mouth to say something to rescue herself but the only sound that came out was a small, choked cough. Heat flamed its way up her chest and into her face.

Harry was watching her, grin still in place, amused and entertained. IN a moment of blinding clarity, she saw herself through his eyes – frumpy single-mum Pippa, down on her luck, a bit quirky and needy in her pill-covered yoga pants and baggy old man’s shirt.

A million miles from the kind of woman that would inspire a hard-on the size of a tube of spackle.

This is why I love Sarah Mayberry’s writing. It’s so real!  Sometimes when you open your mouth you make an utter fool of yourself.  Mayberry captures that.  It’s a funny situation that makes me smile, and then ache at the same time, because you know how Pippa feels.  The book has a handful of moments like this.  (And don’t worry, Harry does reciprocate her feelings!  The embarrassment works out well for her.)

 There wasn’t much in the story that I didn’t like.  Alice, Pippa’s daughter, seemed to sleep a lot, but I’ll accept that in my fantasy read. Sometime’s Pippa’s ex seemed a little over the top, but it fit the story, so I’ll accept that, too. 

I highly recommend this book.  It was a wonderful feel good read.  Sarah Mayberry is a consistently good writer who I never regret spending money on.  I’ve still got some of her backlist to read through. Her latest newsletter mentioned that she’s going to self-publish some more stories (this, like almost all of Mayberry’s books, was published by Harlequin) and I look forward to them, too.

Nauti Temptress by Lora Leigh

Grade-C
Hotness Level- Inferno
Kink Level- Low
Series-Nauti Girls#1 (tied to the Nauti Boys series)
Reviewed By Kay

This novel starts with a twist to the male dominated Mackay family. Dawg's family line to be exact. He finds out out he has four half sisters courtesy of his father. He takes them and their mother in and provides for the family.

Then the story jumps ahead several years to Eve, the oldest of Dawg's siblings. She is in love with Brogan Campbell, a suspected traitor. Well obviously he's not and thus starts their story. It was a little sweet, a whole lotta heat and vintage Leigh writing.

I have enjoyed Lora Leigh's writing for several years and she'll always have a special place in my heart. She introduced me to steamy contemporary romance and I consider her the queen of that genre. I have felt the last several books she's had, I haven't connected with. Regardless, I will always hold out hope and read anything she writes because when she's on, she's on fire! See Wild Card that sees a love story to it's full fruition, Maverick that shows us that sometimes the perfection comes to the most scared and deserving of us. Nauti Night and Nauti Dreams that made me fall in love with the Mackays. Nauti Intentions that introduced me to Alex Jansen which is one of the HOTTEST books I've ever read and Only Pleasure that touched me in ways I never expected.

Keep writing Lora and we'll keep reading.

Tart by Lauren Dane

 

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level Low, HEA for 3
Series-Delicious #2 (Note that Delicious is connected to the Brown Siblings series)
Reviewed by Anne

So, last Wednesday I confessed to buying this book, Tart.  It was on the expensive end of what I’m willing to pay for a book, but, in this case, I have no regrets.  Be warned, this is going to be another love fest from me to Lauren Dane.  I really love her contemporary set writing.  I know it’s not perfect, but I don’t care.  It’s perfect to me!

In this book, Jules, friend to Daisy and Gillian, is nursing a long standing but unreturned affection for Cal.  This has been the status quo for several years.  Cal, openly bi, has serially dated several women and men during this time.  He’s secretly got a thing for Jules, but feels unworthy of her and is too scared of losing the friendship he has with her to take a chance and make a move.  That’s the case until Jules and Gideon meet. 

Gideon is a childhood friend of Jules and Cal’s.  He’s returned to town to help his grandfather run his farm.  There are immediate sparks between Jules and Gideon, and the move quickly into a relationship they both realize is serious.  That finally spurs Cal into action.

For me, this point where Cal decides to pursue Jules is the weakest point in the story.  I don’t want to spoil anything, but the way they moved from a couple and an outside pursuer into a triad was difficult for me to believe.  However, besides this point in the story, I thought the rest of the dynamics of being part of a triad were realistically portrayed.  (Disclaimer:  I’m not an expert on triads, this is just based on how I would imagine it being.  To me this is fantasy in a contemporary setting.) 

As I’ve mentioned many times before, I enjoyed the Brown Siblings series and now the Delicious series because there are no villains and no susupse, just a telling of how two (or three) people come together.  In this story Jules had more growing to do than the two men.  I’m not sure they could have made a relationship work if they all were a mess.  But I can buy into this fantasy, and I enjoyed being there!  I’m impatient for the next story.  For me, there is just no one who writes quite like Lauren Dane when it comes to this kind of contemporary book!

The Reluctant Dom by Tymber Dalton

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate Kink
Reviewed By Anne's sister, Kate

Kaden and Leah are in a 24/7 master/slave relationship. Leah, a cutter, uses the BDSM aspect of their relationship to cope with her feelings. When Kaden finds out he is dying, he worries that Leah will start cutting again, or worse, when he dies. He asks his best friend Seth to move in with them and train to be Leah's new master, so Seth can help Leah cope with her feelings after Kaden is gone.

There was a lot of sex (m/f, m/f/m...no m/m) in this book, but that wasn't more the main focus. It seemed to be more of a novel where the sex plays an important part in the development of the story. I hesitate to describe the scenes as steamy because they seemed a bit short, again more there for plot advancement than for entertainment.
The story focuses on Seth's introduction to BDSM and Leah's adjustment to Seth as her new master. I was glad that Seth didn't just jump on board with the whole plan. He loves Leah, and once he finds out that she needs the BDSM to cope, he agrees to do it. But there are tons of WTF moments for him.
 
Kaden does his best to make the transition to Seth as a master very smooth for Leah. The relationship develops into a threesome.

Kaden finally dies in the last fifth of the book. And there were definite tears for the reader as you follow Seth and Leah through the initial days without Kaden.

And the ending...a little over a year later...you see the changes in both Seth and Leah. Although I would like to complain about the shift in narration. The entire book is third person. Then the last chapter (a year later) is suddenly first person...and from the point of view of a secondary character. The change was a bit jarring.

So, all in all, I loved this book. I don't see myself rereading it too often, simply because of how emotional a read it is.

A Fool's Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Ember
Kink Level-None
Series- Fool's Gold #10
Reviewed By Kay

This is the story of Evie Stryker and Dante Jefferson. Evie is the lone female sibling in the male dominated family of Strykers. She has been on her own since the age of seventeen with no real sense of family. Dante is her brother's business partner with no real sense of family either. The difference is that Dante at one time had it and Evie never has.

I have waited for this book and I have to say I was disappointed. The story was Susan Mallery's usual effort and I was engaged with both characters but on a hotness level, nothing! No on screen sex? What's going on Susan? Reading about them falling in love and their individual healing was good but simply not enough for this smut reader.

Confession

I have a confession to make.  I bought this book today and I paid full price for it.  And I carved 20 minutes out of my day to read it.  In fact, I decided not to take my sewing machine in to be fixed, and I read instead.  You guys, I NEED to get my sewing machine fixed.  I just bought 12 yards of fabric to make matching pj pants for my family.  I can't do that with a broken machine.  Still, I sat on my couch and read today, and I was so glad I did.  Nothing is relaxing like a good book is. Here's hoping I get some reading time this evening, because staying up all night would not be a good choice. (Notice I'm not ruling it out...)

Reflected In You by Syvia Day

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series- Crossfire Series #2
Reviewed by Kay

Book two starts where book one left off. I'd like to tell you a bunch of things happened in this book but they really don't. Don't get me wrong, we get some answers but not all I was hoping for. I just want some long term happiness for these two supremely screwed up individuals. They seem to be enablers to and for each other's misery but you root for them just the same.

Gideon's obsession with Eva's whereabouts and her body are sometimes as disturbing to me as the "stalker" that you're waiting for to appear. Eva's desperation is at times pathetic. Through it all, Ms. Day makes you like and yeah, love  these characters. I am enjoying this series but I'm pretty upset about having to wait until May for the next one.

About Anne

Ok, since Kay shared a bit about herself, here’s my “About Me” entry.  I’m Anne and I love reading romance.  I’m a stay at home mom.  I’ve been married to my husband for 14 years.  We have 5 kids ranging in age from elementary school to the Marines.  We were foster parents for 7 years and adopted 3 of our kids through foster care.  I also have a wonderful daughter-in-law and grandson.  Two of our kids have pretty involved special needs. 
 

I was an early reader.  I remember enjoying The Little House on the Prairie books and Trixie Belden mysteries in elementary school.  By middle school I was reading sci-fi and fantasy.  I finally found romance in college.  Looking back, though, I always loved the romance story line in my books. 

The first romance I ever read was the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oake.  My grandma and I devoured them together.  Then in college I discovered romance with sex and I haven’t looked back.  Kay and I found each other a couple years ago through a mutual friend in our awesome book club.  (We read primarily romance.  There’s no assigned reading and lots of snacks.)  Kay and I figured out we have very similar taste in books, excepting the whole suspense/BDSM issue.  Kay reads MUCH faster than I do.  We nag each other into reading good books.  We both prefer hotter books, but will make exceptions for a very good storyteller. 

I read as a stress reducer.  I love the escape to another world, especially when it’s one with a guaranteed happily ever after.  My favorite romance genre is contemporary. Lauren Dane’s Brown Siblings series is a current favorite.  In fact, I’m seriously considering buying Tart today, even though I’m generally too cheap to pay that much for a book. 

Besides reading, I enjoy sewing (mostly quilting,) crocheting, and watching TV, and running.  We just got Netflix after years without cable, so we’ve been glomming series we missed altogether.  The kids have been running through Disney channel shows.  After they go to bed we’re watching Dr. Who, Sherlock, The Office, Big Bang Theory, Merlin, Psych, Reaper, and more.  I’ve become quite the multitasker and tend to be doing something on my iPad while we watch TV.  Usually Pinterest.  You can follow me here:  Dirty Girls' Good Books on Pinterest   

About Kay

I just wanted to take a few minutes to tell you about myself since I just realized that I have not done so yet. I am married to a wonderful man and have been for almost 24 years. I have two teenage children. A girl and a boy, so I was fortunate to get one of each. I keep reminding myself of this fact as they try me through these tumultous years. I have a full time job in the medical field that I thoroughly enjoy. I watch too much television which cuts into my reading time. Some of my favorite shows are: Dexter, Spartacus, True Blood, The Voice, X Factor, Sons Of Anarchy, Criminal Minds, Survivor, Revenge, Chicago Fire,Storage Wars, American Pickers, Counting Cars, Vampire Diaries and The League.

I have loved reading for as long as I can remember. It has always been my favorite escape. I was a hardcore mystery reader for 20 years and then four years ago I rediscovered romance. I had read a few romances in my young adult years but again mystery was my preference for many years. I think that's why I love a good romantic suspense book now. I especially enjoy a hot romantic suspense novel.

When Anne and I decided to start this blog, we sort of set parameters for ourselves and each other. I will handle the romantic suspense genre as that doesn't always appeal to Anne. She will handle the harder side of BDSM as that doesn't always appeal to me. I happen to be a little less tolerant with certain things in my reading. I don't read time travel. That's non-negotiable for me or as Anne would say, a hard limit. I'm not a big fan of dragons or winged shifters, angels or series of the same couple. I am willing to try some of those. Maybe.

I hope this gives you a little insight about me. I look forward to doing reviews for you for a long time to come.

Bared To You by Sylvia Day

Grade-A-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level- Low
Series- Crossfire #1
Reviewed by Kay

Gideon Cross is extremely wealthy, gorgeous and severely scarred on the inside. Eva Tramell is wealthy, beautiful and extremely scarred on the inside as well. The moment they met, sparks flew. They do everything passionately, from arguing to making love. Reading the first part of their story was a pretty good way to spend a couple of days and I enjoyed it, a lot.

The market seems to be flooding with 50 Shades-ish books. This is along those lines and quite similar. I have to say I enjoyed this premise better. The hero and heroine both have terrible emotional scars and watching them stumble through their love life was not only hot but emotional. I as usual don't want to give too much away so I can't say much more. Well except read this series.