Kissing Drake by Jenna Dales

Grade: C-

Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Mild Kink
Genre: Contemporary

Series: Butterfly Girls #1
Published: 4/17/14

Reviewed by Kate

123 pages

Paige owns a small bookshop on an island.  She's happy and content with her life, has no desire for things to change...except for maybe adding a man to spice things up.  Enter Drake, dressed in a business suit and stranded by a storm.

Unfortunately I was never able to get to the point where I actually liked Paige.  From page one she comes across as a horny book store owner who is so hard up for sex that she will basically go after anything male.  Her calculation in her approach with Drake left me with an icky feeling.  It's definitely meant to be a one time only kind of deal, but we all know it very rarely works out that way (in romances anyway), but it still just felt a little gross for me.

In the second part of the book, Paige is a different person.  A completely different person.  One I found I could like much more, but it just felt like such a sudden change from horny and contented Paige to wistful and wanting-to-wander Paige.  One of the Paiges felt out of character, I'm just not sure which one.

Drake didn't impress me much, one way or the other.  I can't decide if I wanted him to be more upfront and honest with his supposed-to-be-a-one-night-stand or if I just wanted him to be more sure of himself in general.

This one is probably worth checking out if you like small town romance with people working on their issues (alone, not really together). It just didn't work for me.

What Wendy Wants by Nikki Sex

Grade: B

Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Mild Kink
Genre: Contemporary, Novella
Published: 6/23/13

Reviewed by Kate

93 pages

After 3 kids, Wendy and Frank's marriage has turned stale.  Wendy wants to try some of the things that she's been reading about in her romance books, but how can she even approach the subject with "vanilla" Frank? When Frank accidentally takes her Kindle to work with him one day, the choice is taken out of her hands.

I love romances that feature husbands and wives finding their way to deeper relationships. And this one fit the bill perfectly.  It is obvious that Frank and Wendy love each other-he knows exactly what her Kindle password is, even after all these years *happy sigh*.  It's even more obvious that they want this relationship to work, and to work better than it has been.

A quick hot and spicy read.  If you enjoy reading a romance between a husband and wife and like a little BDSM thrown into the mix, this is the one for you.

I think husband and wife romances are fast becoming a favorite for me.  Do you have any others to recommend?

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Eleanor & Park

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Ember
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary, YA
Published: 2/26/13

Reviewed by Anne

(audiobook)

Sometime last year I heard a lot of buzz about this book.  I jotted down the title and decided I should read it one day.  Then when I was burnt out from my 3rd re-listen to the In Death series by J.D. Robb, I thought I'd listen to Eleanor & Park instead of reading it.  I remembered that it was about high schoolers.  I downloaded my copy and started listening.  And I listened and l listened and I listened.  It was so good, but it was also heartwrenching.  

I'd stumbled into a trigger of mine and I had a hard time putting it down.  I kept inventing chores to do so I could continue to listen.  That night when I went to bed only half way through the story, I felt like I was abandoning Eleanor and her siblings!  It haunted me!  I managed to finish it the next day, and it's still haunting me.  In a good way, but disturbing, too.

Sixteen year old Eleanor has just moved back in with her family after a year away.  They're in a new house and a new school district, so besides her family, she knows no one.  And after a year away, even her family feels like strangers.  

Park first sees Eleanor on the bus.  She's clearly going to be a target to be bullied, with her bright red bushy hair and weird clothes.  When she can't find a seat on the bus he surprises himself by reluctantly making room for her in his, all while hoping it won't draw the bullies' attentions to him.  

The way their relationship unfolds is sweet and so true!  This is the best description of first love I've ever read!  Rainbow Rowell just nails it.  Along with their relationship, we also hear about Park trying to live up to his father's expectations and dealing with his own issues as a half-Asian kid.  And we hear about Eleanor's horrible step-father who abuses her mother and looms over the whole house like an awful shadow, infecting everything they do.  And then there's the abject poverty Eleanor's family lives in.  It's just painful to read about.  But the sweetness and hope that comes when Eleanor and Park are together is so wonderful, it balances out some of the bad.

Eleanor and Park were great characters.  They weren't perfect and they both made mistakes that strained their relationship.  They came across as very real and three dimensional.  They grow and change as the story progresses.  Even the bullies in the story are multi-dimensional.  

The story takes place in the eighties, and it's quite a contrast to the anti-bullying climate we see in schools today.  Eleanor bullied at school and there are times that the teachers not only don't help, but make Eleanor's life even harder.  I've rarely been so rage-filled toward a character as I was toward Eleanor's gym teacher!

This book made me wish I was back in high school or in a traditional book club and could analyze it to death.  I hated that in high school, but now I want to know what people think.  Did they see this big twist coming?  Why did this character act in this way.  Was this just a perception in his head, or was it a real thing?  WHY did Eleanor make that choice?  What was up with Eleanor's mom?  How much did Park understand?

I loved this story, and it's really stuck with me.  I highly recommend it, with the caveat that it's emotionally wrenching!  Honestly,  I avoid a books like this because the kids in the story just break my heart.  i wouldn't have read this one if I'd known about the abuse in it. I'll for sure read Rowell again, though! 

Loving Ellie by Lindsey Brookes

Grade: B-
Hotness Level: Spark
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Published: 2/10/14

Reviewed by Kate

251 ebook pages

Lucas rushes back to a home he left 3 years ago when he finds out that his younger brother has died.  The last thing he expects to find is his brother's fiancé, Ellie, who is very pregnant.  Lucas lost his own wife and unborn child 3 years ago.  How can he help Ellie when doing so brings up so much from his past?

Okay.  I admit it.  I like pregnancy romances.  And this one worked on so many levels for me.  Lucas has been running from his past for years now, but being around Ellie is forcing him to face that head on.  Ellie grew up without any love and is unwilling to see that anybody might love her or that she may be able to love someone herself.  Two tortured souls who just might be able to complete each other.  Emotionally gripping, I could not put this one down.  I finished the book in under a day.

However, please be aware that this is a romance, not an erotic romance.  I prefer my romances to be ones that I would never, never recommend that my grandmother read.  And while this one is definitely a romance, there is no sex, on page or otherwise.  That being said, it was a beautiful story.

If you like emotional stories of two people helping each other move beyond their pasts while digging their heels in the whole way, and don't mind a lack of sex-this one's for you.

The Kraken King (Part 1) by Meljean Brook

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Ember
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Steampunk, Serial
Series: Iron Seas #4.1 (Part 1 of 8 parts for this story)

Published: 4/15/14

Reviewed by Anne

78 ebook pages

So, I did something I swore to myself I'd never do... I started a serial.  I hate cliffhangers.  I'd rather wait a serial out and read the whole thing once it's done!  But then I saw this one.  And it's Meljean Brook.  MELJEAN BROOK!  And it's in the Iron Seas world.  One of the coolest worlds I've read.  Best steampunk I've read.  And can I wait until August to read the whole thing??? No.  I cannot.  So here I sit, in the mess I made for myself, wanting more but having to wait until the next installment.  Because it was GOOD.

Zenobia Fox, author of the tales of Archimedes Fox and Lady Lynx has always lived in the adventures she writes.  Besides a couple kidnappings, she hasn't traveled much.  But she's off to see the world now.  She's smart about it, though, as she's travelling under an assumed name and taking her trusted body guards with her.

Not long into her journey, the airship she's on is attacked and blown up.  She's rescued by her bodyguards, her own coolheadedness, AND by the Kraken King.  Ariq, the Kraken King, goes by many names. He's mayor of his isolated town and has been fighting off and investigating the group that took down Zenobia's ship.  Zenobia and her friends take shelter in his town as they wait for another ship to take them on to their destination.

I don't think there's anything mind shattering about the plot as it seems to be standard adventure fare, but the book really shines in the relationship between Ariq and Zenobia.  They've got a lot of sexual tension and they don't deny it! Acknowledging it doesn't mean acting on it, necessarily.  They're both smart, and they're not going to make stupid decisions.  There is no TSTL in this story!  Zenobia not only depends on her bodyguards, but she listens to them!

I'm primarily a romance reader, so I appreciate the development of Zenobia and Ariq's relationship, but the action sequences really rock, too!  The escape from the airship was a scene I could picture in a blockbuster summer movie!  Well written and exciting!  And I really want to see the dead Kraken on the beach!

My only complaint (besides the fact that it's a serial, and that's my own fault for being weak and not waiting it out...) was the misunderstanding set up in this installment.  I hope that's cleared up soon.

I think this one would stand alone if you hadn't read the rest of the series.  The characters are all new - Zenobia has been mentioned in other books, but not featured.  The world building is easy to catch on to.  So, go forth and enjoy!  Join me in the agony of waiting for the next installment!

Straight Shooter by Heidi Belleau

Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Moderate Kink
Genre: Contemporary, m/m, BDSM
Series: Rear Entrance Video #3

Published: 4/7/14

Reviewed by Anne

271 ebook pages

Austin Puett is hoping to be a professional hockey player.  Right now he's on his college team, and that takes up most of his time and concentration.  Unfortunately some personal issues are making problems for him.  First of all, he's been rude to one of his roommates and his landlord/roommate has given him the rest of the month to make things right with the newly cross-dressing roommate he insulted.  On top of trying to figure that mess out, he's dealing with a recurring identity crisis.  He's an uber-macho hockey player, but he gets turned on when his teammates insult him and call him gay.  

Austin can NOT figure out what is wrong with him.  And it's not a simple thing.  It's not just, do I like girls or boys or both?  Austin knows there's more on the line.  No way could a hockey team, college or pro, accept a player as sexually messed up as Austin is.  Desperate to break himself of this boner-at-inappropriate-times issue, Austin decides that binge watching m/m porn would be a great way to return himself to normal.  It's got to work, right?

This book is more Austin's story than anything else, but there is a nice romance, too.  Austin is so convinced there's something fundamentally wrong with him!  His attempts to cure himself are comical and tragic.  When his job at Rear Entrance Video leads to him meeting Puck, the star of his favorite binge-watching porn series, things start to take a turn for the better.

It's a really good story of self discovery and thinking of sexuality not as something that's black or white or even easily defined.  Watching Austin come to accept himself was both painful and hopeful!  I really loved how his acceptance of his friends led to him accepting himself. You could also see how not acknowledging who he was and what he liked could hurt his friends, too.

The story is told entirely from Austin's point of view, which really works, since Austin has the most growing to do.  Heidi Belleau does a great job of cluing us into where Puck is at through the things Austin sees, even if Austin doesn't seem to understand them. The author also gets mega bonus points for writing the first Dom I've ever read who doesn't have magical psychic powers of understanding and predicting and isn't perfect.  This made a lot of sense, because Austin really didn't know what he wanted, either.  The way they worked through things when Puck was wrong about what Austin wanted was even more important than the sex they were having.

Austin's kink (and I won't say exactly what it is, because he doesn't really even know it when the story starts) is not my favorite kink to read about, so credit to the author for still making it a believably affectionate relationship!  The only other issue I had with this book was that the ending was a little too much happiness and rainbows and HEA.  It seemed to me they had a lot to work through.  In my head they're much more HFN, and I can accept that.

Heidi Belleau has put herself on my READ IT NOW list!  Her stories aren't just entertaining, but they make me think and stretch my empathy to situations I just didn't understand.  I know Kate also loves her The Professor's Rule series of novellas.  I'm moving them up on my list!

To the Very Last Inch by Heidi Belleau and Amelia C. Gormley

Grade: A

Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: High Kink
Genre: m/m, menage, m/m/m, BDSM
Series: The Professor's Rule #5

Published: 3/03/14

Reviewed by Kate

56 pages

This is the conclusion to the Professor's Rule series, and it is everything that I wanted it to be!  We finally get some of Carson's perspective and everyone finally starts actually talking to each other and...well, it's rather obvious that I'm still really excited about this one (even a week after reading it).  Oh wait, I forgot...the ending.  It left me happy, but wanting more of Carson, James, and Satish.

If you liked the first ones in the series, you'll love this one as well.  If you haven't read the first ones and you like m/m with BDSM mixed in, I highly recommend this series.  They really need to be read in order though.  You could read the second one followed by #1, but the rest really need to be read in order.  I can't wait to go back and re-read them back-to-back rather than having to wait until the next one is released.

I hope that this pair of authors teams up again.  I'm excited to see what they can come up with next!

Every Inch of the Way by Heidi Belleau and Amelia C. Gormley

Grade: B

Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Mild Kink
Genre: Contemporary, m/m, BDSM
Series: The Professor's Rule #4

Published: 3/03/14

Reviewed by Kate

42 pages

Ah.  The story of James and Professor Carson and Satish continues.  Let me start by saying that if you haven't read the first 3 in this series, stop everything and go read them, then come back.  It's okay.  I'll wait...

Okay.  #4 picks up right after #3.  Satish is debating about calling James.  After running into Carson, he decides to make the phone call.  But it's what happens afterwards, when James goes back to Carson that has me so gobsmacked.  Thankfully I had #5 loaded on my reader and ready to go, because I don't think I could have tolerated the ending otherwise.

Stay tuned for my review of the conclusion to the series...

The Bossman by Renee Rose

Grade: D+

Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Moderate Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Published: 3/08/14

Reviewed by Kate

114 pages

Sophie's dad was a member of the mob and was killed when she was younger. Since then, she's gone out of her way to avoid getting involved with the family again. But all of that changes when her car is about to be repossessed and the mob boss' younger brother, Joey steps in and pays off the loan for her. Joey's always been happy to stay in his older brother's shadows and keep his hands clean. But can he ever have Sophie when she wants nothing to do with the family?

This one was a head shaker for me. First, I don't think I'll ever be a fan of mafia romance (this was my first mafia romance read) and, admittedly, I know very little about the mafia. Secondly, for not wanting to get involved in the family, Sophie was very quick to jump into bed with Joey and by the end of the second date she was ordering spanking implements for him?! Not to mention Joey doesn't really seem to get off on spanking Sophie, yet he knows that's what she really needs (yes, knows this by the 2nd date). Apparently mind reading ability comes along with your mafia membership card. And last, the ending seemed a little too easy. It's presented as happily ever after, but I just can't see it staying that way for long.

If the mafia romance angle sounds intriguing to you it may be worth a read, but for me, I don't think I'll be reading any more mafia romance. 

Has anyone else read a mafia romance? What did you think? Good, bad, indifferent?

Taken With You by Shannon Stacey

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Kowalski Family #8

Published: 3/25/14

Reviewed by Anne

209 ebook pages

Hailey, the town librarian is happy with her life, but lately, watching all the Kowalski's couple up and get married has got her wondering when she'll find her own Prince Charming.  She's pretty sure he isn't in Whitford, because she's looked!  And when her new neighbor, Matt, moves in, she's sure it's not him either.  She met him a few weeks before on an ill advised adventure weekend when she got lost in the woods.   He may have been able to guide her to safety, but he looked like he hadn't seen a shower or washing machine in weeks!  And he might look a whole lot better in his forest ranger uniform, but she's seen the real Matt and he's not her Prince Charming.  That's all just fine with Matt, who was burned once before by a girl friend who didn't embrace his love of the outdoors.  So they'll be good neighbors.  Maybe they'll be very good neighbors... but both of them know they could never have a relationship.

Shannon Stacey's humor and story telling is great in this book.  Hailey and Matt are both so sure they are just too different to make things work.  It's a delight to watch them come together.  The small town of Whitford is all over the two of them, with everyone knowing they'll be a couple before the two of them even get a whiff of it.  So fun and funny!

When I meet people who haven't read romance lately and I want to recommend a book to them, Exclusively Yours, the first book in this series, is my go to recommendation.  It's one of my all time favorite reads, right along side Yours to Keep, the third Kowalski book.  Even though the other books weren't as good as those two, I've still enjoyed them as I've read through the series, but this one is a return to the best!  It's not about a Kowalski, but there are plenty of Kowalskis in the story.  There's not anything OF DOOM, but there's still plenty of humor.  There's some ATV fun and gossip at the diner and the grocery store.

This is a long running series, but you could easily jump in and read this book without having read the others - and I recommend you do!  It's going on my favorite books of the year list!  Do you read the Kowalskis?  If so, what's your favorite of the series?  And if you don't, do you have a series to recommend?

Her Kind of Trouble by Sarah Mayberry

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: ContemporaryPublished: 4/1/14 

Reviewed by Anne

210 pages

What if the two right people met, but it was the wrong time?  Vivian and Seth meet at their siblings' wedding.  The attraction is instant.  Neither is looking for commitment, and that works out just fine for them.  A quickie in a limo at the wedding turns into a happy memory for both of them as Seth keeps trying to make it big with his rock band and Vivian moves to the US to work on her career as a designer.

Ten years later Vivian moves back to Australia and suddenly she and Seth are seeing each other all the time.  The attraction is still there, and the timing is still awful.  Seth has grown up a lot.  He gave up on the rock star dream and settled down and bought a bar.  But he still managed to knock up his twenty-something girlfriend before they split up. So now he's looking at fatherhood with a girl who seems more interested in shopping than the baby due in weeks.   Vivian, who is known in her family as the flighty one, has also grown up and settled down.  She's co-owner of a new photography/stylist business.  But they keep getting thrown together.  And even though the timing couldn't be worse and their families don't really approve, they're starting to find they don't just have horny pants for each other, but they actually like each other, too!

This book is going on my best of the year list!  I think Vivian is one of my all time favorite heroines.  She knows who she is and she's fine with herself, flaws and all.  She likes sex and she's not ashamed that she does.  But she's mature enough that her life is not all one night stands and she understands that there are repercussions when you decide to sleep with someone.  She will not put up with slut shaming and doesn't hesitate to call Seth out on it when he starts down that path.

Vivian's acceptance of herself and her imperfections helps her appreciate the same in Seth.  And if Seth is a little late to see all that is wonderful about Vivian, we'll give him a pass because his life is a pretty big mess during most of the story.  It's an awful time to start a relationship.  It's messy and probably not smart, but it's their story, and that's how Mayberry writes it.  So awesome!

There were a couple small things about the book that bothered me.  I would have been happier with a HFN ending instead of the all out HEA.   It's also not as hot as some of the books I enjoy, but with the strong plot and characters, I didn't miss the extra couple sex scenes at all.  And the scenes that were in the book were great!

I'll just say it right here.  I think Sarah Mayberry is one of the most under appreciated romance authors out there right now.  In my book she's right up there with Jill Shalvis, Jaci Burton, Shannon Stacey, Ruthie Knox, and Cara Mckenna.  I'd even say she writes stronger storylines than any of these authors.  If you haven't tried her yet, go pick up one of her stories and try her now!

Once Upon A Billionaire by Jessica Clare

Grade-C-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Billionaire Boys Club #4
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
261 pages

I had such high hopes for this book when I first started it. I love Jessica Clare books. It had a billionaire, a down on her luck but strong heroine, great sexual tension and a decent, if not far fetched premise. These are great things in a romance story but at sixty percent in it all fell apart for me.

Griffin, the hero, is a billionaire who belongs to a secret society of friends and a Viscount in his native country. He has to go home to his homeland for a family wedding. A royal family wedding. He would rather do anything other than that but family is family. His assistant comes down with the chicken pox and can't go with him. One of his friends' wives, who he doesn't get along with, offers him her husband's assistant for the trip. He's desperate, so he agrees.

Maylee is from Arkansas and the first person in her family to go to college and get a degree. She sends part of her paychecks back home to her family to give them a somewhat better life. She lives in an unsecured building in a hovel of an apartment. She doesn't have much but she's content with her life. When she gets the chance not only to earn doubletime but to travel, she's so very excited.

When these two meet, Griffin is a total asshat. He insults her at every turn even knowing that he desperately needs her help. To make matters even worse, he becomes attracted to her and still continues to belittle her. This happens through most of the book. At about sixty percent, I'd made my mind up that there would be no redemption for him in my eyes. Not even Jessica Clare's writing could make him likeable. Maylee was a precious heroine and I cried for her several times while reading this book. She was the one bright spot in this story. If you can stand a constantly cruel hero, give it a try.

Naughty Bits Part 1: The Lingerie Shop by Joey W. Hill

Grade-A-

Hotness Level-Blaze

Kink Level-Mild Kink

Series-Naughty Bits #1

Genre-Contemporary

Reviewed by Kate

110 pages

 

Madison has inherited her sister's lingerie shop, Naughty Bits. But Naughty Bits is a bit more than just a lingerie shop. Madison has always needed to be in control, yet she recognizes that she's drawn to being a submissive. She recognizes it, but has been running from it for a while now. When she meets Logan, who runs the hardware store next to Naughty Bits, and discovers that he's a Dom, she's not sure how long she'll be able to keep running.

 

The relationship that is starting to form between Logan and Madison promises to be so hot, so steamy, so emotional, so....just so much. Madison is so conflicted and Logan is so confident. It seems like the perfect pairing for a great series. I've read some of Joey W. Hill's BDSM romances before and I can't wait to see what she does with Logan and Madison.

 

I couldn't stop turning pages with this one and Joey W. Hill has me tapping my toes, not-so-patiently awaiting the release of part two.

 

One minor note: there is no sexual interaction between Logan and Madison in this book. I can only imagine that the anticipation will make it all the better when it finally happens. Because if it can be steamy without the sex, I can only imagine...

 

How about you? What series are you anxiously waiting for the next book to be released?

Beyond Solitude by Kit Rocha

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Dystopian
Series: Beyond #4.5

Published: 4/1/14*

Reviewed by Anne

Pages: 126

*Note: This novella is part of the Alphas After Dark Anthology. The authors report that the anthology will be on sale for 99c in April and after that the novella will be priced at $2.99

So, just as I was finishing up with my review of Beyond Jealousy, I was lucky enough to get this ARC of Beyond Solitude.  I devoured it!  It takes place at the same time as Beyond Solitude, but could easily be read first.  In fact, this one probably stands alone better than any of the stories in the series besides the first one.  

Derek Ford is a member of the O'Kane gang.  Unfortunately a broken leg and old fashioned healing has left him tied to his desk a whole lot more than he likes.  One day he's surprised to discover Mia in his office.  She's new to the sector and she's not an O'Kane, but she's got ties to Lex, the O'Kane queen.  Lex gave Mia a job - she's supposed to help Ford out with his office work.  Ford is grumpy and not appreciative of Mia invading his space, but Mia's determined to make things work.

I showed the following quote to pretty much everyone in my bookclub trying to convince them to read this series!

"I need a job. If you don’t want me to mess with your files, fine—”

“Okay. Don’t mess with my files.”

She didn’t falter, didn’t even blink. “Then tell me what to do instead."

If I were an asshole... He waved the bottle of whiskey at her. “You could start by letting me drink half of this and jerk off so I can get some sleep.”

That snapped her teeth together—for about five seconds. “If you’re self-conscious about doing that with me in the next room, I could take some work home.”

“Self-conscious?” He dropped the bottle on his desk and unbuckled his belt. “I’ll lay it out right here, buttercup, if you like to watch.”

Her gaze flicked to his hands, and he got that flash of tongue he’d been waiting for as she wet her lips. “I wouldn’t be watching. I’d be working.”

Filing papers like there was nothing more interesting going on? Fuck that. “Bullshit.” Ford tugged open the top button on his jeans. “It may be a little battered these days, like the rest of me, but my ego’s not dead. If I start stroking my dick right in front of you, you’re damn sure gonna be paying attention. Not just watching—riveted."  p.7

This is on page SEVEN!  And really, the story starts on page 5, so it's really like page 3...  It's one hot story.  

It's also got one of the things I like most about the Beyond series - strong women who support each other.  Mia has issues.  She's working through them, but it's really important for her to stand on her own.  That means falling for her new boss causes her some problems.  The real conflict in this story comes when Ford doesn't understand why it's a problem for him to be her boss and lover.  The way he makes it up to her is one of the most memorable "I'm sorry" gifts I've ever read, though!

This story could probably be read anywhere in the series, as it stands alone really well.    It's tamer than most of the other stories, too, as Mia and Ford aren't really interested in the orgies or PDA that the rest of the O'Kanes enjoy so much.  So, it might even be a good entry point.  I highly recommend it, and even though I got a review copy of this short story,  I'm still going to buy the anthology.  For 99c it's hard to turn down!

Improper Proposals by Juliana Ross

Grade: A
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Historical
Series: Improper #3

Published: 3/24/14

Reviewed by Anne

122 pages

"Instead of instructing young wives on how to roast a chicken or darn a sock or ease colic in an infant, I want you to write a guide that will tell them, plainly and directly, what they might expect from marital relations with their husbands.  It will tell them that it could and should be a pleasant experience, and not a shameful necessity to which they are bound to submit."  -p.24

When her husband of eleven years dies, Caroline is distraught and alone, with no other family to turn to.  As time passes, she throws herself into the project of writing an instruction manual for young wives.   Once it's done, she seeks out a friend of her husband's who is a publisher.  She's disappointed when he says there's no market for her book, but he contacts her again, impressed with her writing and proposes she write the same sort of book, but this time have it focused on "marital relations."

Juliana Ross really shines in this story!  I devoured it in one sitting and wanted to turn around and re-read it immediately!  Since Caroline lives in the country, and her publisher, Tom, lives in London, they send letters and manuscripts through the mail, then meet in person about once per month to discuss things. I loved the contrast between the formal way they talk and write letters to each other and how very dirty they are in the bedroom.  It was great read and an incredibly hot one!  The author also manages to sell me on a second love of a lifetime without bashing the first - something I really appreciate!  

My biggest complaint was how Caroline handled the obstacle they faced near the end of the story.  It seemed out of character, especially when the solution seemed so easy to me.  However, the way Tom reacted really redeemed things.  He was so confident in her love for him and his for her that he was able to handle things well.

I also want to note that Tom is a dirty talker in the bedroom, and Caroline finds that she really enjoys it.  The sex scenes are very well written!  I highly recommend this book - it's going on my best of the year list!

Love In Straight Sets by Rebecca Crowley

          

           

Grade-A-
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate
159 pages

Regan is the resident diva of the tennis world.  She's gone through coaches faster than Augustus Gloop ate his way through the Wonka factory.  She's planning on retiring soon, but wants one last win.  A big one.  At the Baron's Open.  Enter Ben, a one-hit wonder who won the Baron's Open years ago and then disappeared from the tennis courts.  He's agreed to coach Regan and she's agreed not to fire him.  Both Regan and Ben are drawn to each other, but his job hinges on his ability to keep his hands off Regan, and his sister's safety depends on him keeping his job.

The world of sports romance is dominated by MMA, football, baseball, and hockey men.  And while I enjoy a good sports romance every once in a while, I'm kind of tired of the same-old, same-old.  How many big, buff guys running around the football field or sparring in the ring can you really read about?  The fact that this one is about a tennis playing female was such a refreshing change of pace.

These are characters that I quickly fell in love with.  Regan wasn't just an outright bitch.  You get to see what's under the surface that makes her a character you root for. I loved that Ben saw right through Regan's diva act.  He didn't put up with her crap at all and saw through to the vulnerability underneath.  They both have their moments of stupidity that made me just want to yell at them, especially Ben.  But if those moments hadn't been there I would probably be complaining that they were too perfect.

My only complaint...I would have appreciated more sex in this one.  There's no sex until 84% into the story and then we only get one scene.  Honestly though, the story was so engaging that I didn't realize that I was already that far into the story.

I absolutely loved this one.  It's the first book that I've read by Rebecca Crowley, but I've already added some of her back list to my TBR pile.  This one is definitely worth reading.

Hidden Ecstasy by Setta Jay

            

           

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Guardians of the Realms #0.5
Genre-Paranormal
Reviewed by Kay
35 pages

What do you get when you take a son of the goddess Athena and a Guardian of the Realm? It could be a new paranormal series for me to read.

Vane, the son of Athena is a Demi-god trying to stay hidden in the human world. You see, the Gods were put to sleep for their sins in the immortal realm. He and his siblings fight for humans, to keep them safe and hide out. He's been enjoying a very sexual relationship with Brianne, who is a Guardian for centuries. Neither view the other as their mate but definitely enjoy each other's company. Their protection of the humans is in the form of fighting human trafficking. This is a purpose very near and dear to his sister's heart.

In this short snippet of a story, Vane and his siblings are trying to rescue a young girl who was kidnapped because of her father's wrong doings. They track her down and rescue her and I think this will set the scene for the other books in the series. I enjoyed this story. It was easy to follow, a little exciting and a whole lotta steamy. Vane is an alpha male who's just hot as can be. There's not a whole lot of story regarding Brianne but I'm hoping for more as the series goes on. I'd love to really get into another paranormal series and I'm kind of excited this might be one.

Up In Flames by Lori Foster

            

Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate
368 pages

The book is split into 2 novellas.  Up in Flames is about the first third of the book, with Caught in the Act taking up the rest.

Up in Flames-Melanie and Adam went to high school together.  She was a rich girl, he was poorer than dirt.  Although they both were attracted to each other during school, neither made a move.  Now, years later, they find themselves on the same party boat.  When they go overboard during a storm and end up stranded on an island, things really start to heat up.  I will be honest and say that I love the whole stranded together on a deserted island plot line.  That's pretty much a sure fire way to get me to read a book.  And this one did not fail to dissapoint.

Caught in the Act-Mick, a police officer, has fallen for a lady he's never met.  He's seen her jogging before and just knows he needs to meet her so he follows her into a jewelry store.  When the store is robbed, he protects Delilah and takes a bullet.  Delilah offers to let him recover at her place.  And while he does need time to recover, he's also beginning to suspect that someone is after Delilah.  So he moves in with her to keep her safe.  Caught in the Act had just the right amount of suspense for me. Delilah is such a unique character and Mick accepts her for what she is.  There was a lot of secret keeping, especially on Mick's side, that I didn't appreciate, but otherwise I enjoyed this one a lot.

This is the first book I've read by Lori Foster but I'm looking forward to checking out her back list. I especially want to see if there are stories for the secondary characters (Mick's friends) from Caught in the Act.

The combination of these 2 novellas made for a quick and enjoyable read.  Fast paced and engaging, I did not want to put this one down.  At one point I found myself mad at my 7 year old who interrupted reading to ask when supper would be.  Then I looked at the clock and discovered that it was already 7:30pm.

Taken By The Hero by Stella Rose

Grade-D
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-Taken to the Edge
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
30 pages

I wanted something short and sweet and got this instead. This was a teaser to what I assume is an on-going story line. I blame myself for not reasearching this more but it was a freebie, so I thought what the hell.

Mercy Martin has wanted Hunter Green, yes that's his name and yes I did giggle, since she was twelve. He has been her brother's best friend for her whole life. When he gets back from his tours in the Middle East, she figures it's time for him to notice her and she throws herself at him.

Hunter Green, giggle, notices her alright. He sees she's all grown up but two important things stop him from taking what she's offering. First, she's his best friend's sister and he has desires he's sure will make her uncomfortable. He does engage in some fondling and kissing in public though. Three different times where anyone could see them and twice within view of her parents.

I'm not saying the sex in the book was boring because that was the best part of this story. But seriously, who has sex where their brother or parents could see? Ewww, gross. Not to mention, who would you call to bail you out if you got arrested for indecent exposure? There were a couple of other things that bothered me with this story. It seemed like it almost scene jumped without warning. Also, it talks about him being a Marine and two sentences later she sees his picture with his Navy uniform on. I know you can serve in different branches of the military but I don't recall a mention of any Navy service.

I might in the future try to read something else by this author but I want something with a little more chemistry between the characters and more consistency with the writing.

Rock the Heart by Michelle A. Valentine

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Black Falcon #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
330 pages

If you thought you couldn't have both, which of the following would you choose?

1.) Stay with your struggling musician first love?

or

2.)Go on to college and get a degree to provide financial stability?

Lanie Vance chose the second. It broke her boyfriend's heart and her in the process. Now four years later she's a marketing intern being given her first big chance and her past just slapped her in the face.
Her assignment is to secure her firm to do the marketing for the rock band, Black Falcon's favorite charity. Noel Falcon, the band's front man, is the man whose heart she broke.

Noel can't believe it when he looks down into the crowd at one of his concerts and sees Lanie. He's never stopped loving her but tried to move on by excessive drinking and man-whoring. But none of that could erase Lanie from his memory. He doesn't handle seeing her very well. He dedicates the song Ball Busting Bitch to her on stage and later, when she comes to see him about the charity, he has two topless blondes on his lap.

Noel is a really good guy. Almost too good for my tastes but he loves himself some Lanie. To have the chance to reconnect with her is like a second lease at life for him. Lanie has always worried about her place in Noel's world. As secrets and insecurities threaten to tear them apart again, you see two people who never stopped loving each other get their much deserved second chance.

This book has been sitting on my Kindle TBR list for a long time. I'd see it and think, Yeah I need to read that and then promptly forget about it. Now I could kick myself because I waited so long. This is a good book with second chance love and steamy sex. It reads easily and captures your heart.

Favorite quote of the book:

"The only mistake when it comes to love, is not going for it."

Married To The Trillionaires by Ella Mansfield

        

Grade-D-

Hotness Level-Inferno

Kink Level-Mild Kink

Series-Menage For Mankind #1

Genre-Futuristic Menage

Reviewed by Kate

95 pages

*Warning: the following review contains spoilers*

In the future...April has been raised in a "religious" community, where things have continued much as they are today. Namely, women are giving birth to babies. Outside of these isolated religious communites, women are done with the pain of child birth. Eggs are painlessly harvested and fertilized. Unfortunately, no one realized that more boys would be born than girls and that the girls would be born frail and weak and worst of all-*gasp*-sterile. So it turns out that the girls from the religious communities are in high demand. And that their parents are greedy enough to auction the girls off to the highest bidders (yes, that's right, bidders-plural). After all, who else is going to repopulate the earth?

April's father is looking to get remarried and has decided that the best way to get the money he needs for his new life is to auction April off. Although he is kind enough to set some restrictions. She can only be sold to a group of four or less men (bless his heart, five men just might have been too overwhelming for the little virgin) and that she must actually be married to one of them.

Bill, John, David, and Steve decide to pool their money together so they can purchase April. Then they set up a very formal business arrangement, contract and all. April will live with Bill (since he is putting in more money to start with-at least I'm pretty sure that's why) and he will provide for her. Each of the other 3 men will get one hour with April every night. That's right, every night. Any daughters that are born will be sold at auction with the proceeds divided between the men.

They buy April and proceed to pass her around that first night. Bill is nice enough to hire a masseuse for April the next morning, because he wants her to be ready for the night. They send her from one room to the other, night after night. And April is completely okay with it. Mainly because Bill has a hired chef who serves her shrimp and lobster and other dishes that she's never had before.

They're all starting to fall for each other and everything goes well. The men decide to update their contract to say that they will not auction off their daughters and will let them choose who they wish to marry. But before the new contract is even signed, April hears that's it's not uncommon for the daughters of their kind of arrangement to be auctioned off and she discovers the original contract that the men had signed. So she runs away (what else is a heroine who, up to this point, has been spineless supposed to do?). Of course, she ends up pregnant and, of course, the men find her shortly before she delivers. And everybody is happy once again.

I really was looking forward to reading this one. I love futuristic menages. But this one went wrong for me right off the bat. April is so meek. She never complains when her dad tells her he's auctioning her off. And once the men buy her, there's not ever a period of time when she is upset about it. Then you have the men. I just couldn't get past the fact that they were so business about it. They started off as asses and never really changed throughout the story.

The sex scenes were plentiful. After all, the poor girl had 4 men to please each night. And I suppose they could be considered hot, although for me the formulaic approach that April had to take (first Bill, then John, then David, then Steve, and finally back to Bill) made everything feel so cold. Nothing was ever spontaneous.

The only positive I can give this one is that it is short. But if I were you, I wouldn't waste my time.

Throwback Thursday-Behind Closed Doors by Shannon McKenna

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series- McCloud and Friends #1
Genre-Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kate
430 pages

Haunted by dreams most of her life, Raine is on a mission to bring the man who killed her father to justice.  Even if that man is her own uncle Victor.  Seth is on a mission to hunt down his brother's murderer.   And you guessed it, his brother's murderer is Victor.  Seth has all of Victor's properties under surveilance and has been watching the new hottie that moved into Victor's former mistress's house.  Raine got a job a her uncle's company, and is staying in housing provided by the company (you guessed it
again, the former mistress's old house).  So Seth has been watching Raine.  All right, I think we're on the same page now.  Raine and Seth both want Victor dead. But can romance blossom at the same time?

I'm not a suspense reader, at all. But I decided that I needed to branch out, so as part of my yearly goals I decided to read one suspense book each month (fyi-I'm one month behind already).

I took Kay's recommendation and tried this one. It was hot and steamy and full of tension and suspense. Everything that I imagine a good suspense is made of. I felt the first part of the story dragged a bit. Raine thinks she's pulling off this huge con and her uncle doesn't know who she is. Seth is still just watching Raine from a distance. But once the story picked up the pace, it just wouldn't let me go. I simply had to keep turning pages to see how everything ended up.

If you're a romantic suspense fan already, this one sure fits the bill. If you're looking to give the genre a try, like I was, make sure you have enough time set aside because once you start, you won't be able to put this one down.

Mine by Katy Evans

 

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Real #2
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
336 pages

Mine. The title really does say it all. All the feelings that these two characters have for each other. You get the beautiful continuation of Brooke and Remy's love story that's never an easy road. It starts a little while after the first book, Real, ended, when Brooke comes back to Remy.

Remy is training for his rematch with the man who hurt the people he cares about. I love Remy exactly the way he his: dedicated, loving, so very alpha (complete with growling), sexy and flawed. I love Brooke for her capacity of love and her own imperfections.

"We're the object of each other's hurt and each other's solace."- Brooke

Finding a way to forgive each other and themselves for not being what they felt the other needed them to be was a big issue here. You know they love one another, that's evident throughout the whole story.

"You are going to love me until I die. I'm going to make you love me even if it hurts, and when it hurts, I'm going to make it better, Brooke."- Remy

"I want to live in you."-Remy

Remy is such a passionate creature. He feels everything as if it's magnified and given his condition, maybe it is.

"I've been through hell, and I'm back in heaven and suddenly I know that's the way my life will be. After the dark, I will always, always find my light- which is him."- Brooke

When I reviewed the first book in the series, I said it wasn't a conventional romance. I think that when a person is in love with someone who is bipolar there's no way their love can be conventional. The man in this book copes with his illness as best he can and the woman in this story, his woman, loves him because of his illness not just in spite of it. Katy Evans, what a wonderful love story you gave us!

The Day He Kissed Her by Juliana Stone

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #3
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
384 pages

In the town of Crystal Lake, there were four young boys. This is Mackenzie Draper's story, oone of those Bad Boys of Crystal Lake.

He came home for the funeral of one of his best friends. He came back because his reamining friends decided to make their homes here. He thought he'd left his hometown behind, along with his past and his pain. He'd done okay for himself. He has a well paying job, luxuries and a constant parade of women in his bed. One evening he has a one night stand with a beautiful girl with a Boston accent. She's gone in the morning and he's left bewildered.

Lily St. Claire is an heiress of sorts. Her family is wealthy and well known, kinda of like the Hiltons. She's moved to Crystal Lake to be near her best friend, Jake. She's enjoying her new life and the town suits her. It's different but in a good way. Her only regeret is her ill-timed one night stand with her best friend's best friend. She hasn't forgotten him but knows it was a huge mistake.

They see each other at a family get together and Mac pursues her almost relentlessly. They agree to a exclusive but no strings attached relationship. Clear as mud? They both have their demons and baggage to deal with concerning their upbringings. Neglect and abuse are nothing new to them.

I love this series. I really, really do. You think you're getting a series like Jill Shavis' Lucky Harbor or a Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold or even a Toni Blake's Destiny series but it's more than that. Don't get me wrong, I love those other series too but there's more emotion in this one. It tugs at your heart strings. I haven't read one yet that hasn't brought tears to my eyes. Juliana Stone is a master at her craft and I am a devoted fan and reader.