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.

Mine to Crave by Cynthia Eden

                     

Grade-B

Hotness Level-Inferno

Kink Level-No Kink

Series-Mine #4

Genre-Romantic Suspense

Reviewed by Kay

280 pages

 

Romantic Suspense is one of those sub genres in romance literature that can be very, very good or very, very bad. This is an example of very, very good.

You have a former military man who now owns and runs multiple casinos with a tortured past. He has everything that money can buy but happiness. To have happiness you have to trust and Drake Archer trusts a very select few people but never a woman. He learned that lesson the hard way a long time ago.

Jasmine Bennett is a thief, or is she? She's on the run from a so called bounty hunter while she's in pursuit of Drake for information about his business dealings. She herself trusts very few people. She's always had to pretty much rely on herself, even from a young age. Her own past is interwoven with Drake that leaves her vulnerable and in turmoil.

From the moment she crooks her finger at Drake the first time to the second time she does it, it's non-stop action. I couldn't hardly put it down. I even stayed up late to read it. Cynthia Eden, I just want to kiss you and hug you so tight. You had my heart racing with the suspense, fanning myself during the love scenes and my eyes misting at the emotional parts. That's not just good romantic suspense but that's a good novel.

In closing, a couple of my favorite lines:

The memory of being in Drake's bed was too strong. I could still feel him on my skin.

She tasted just like he remembered. Like every dream he'd ever had. Like everything he ever wanted but didn't deserve.

Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level- Moderate Kink
Series- Dark-Hunter #23
Genre-Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by Kay
836 pages

Back many months ago when I read the blurb for this book, my heart raced. I'll admit I was a little tentative about a book featuring Styxx, but the blurb says that we only know half of the story. If you don't want to read a review with spoilers stop now.
Here's a little refresher on this very long series. Styxx is the identical twin to Acheron except for the eyes. They shared a womb even though they were not blood related. I'm not going to summarize all the details to Ash's (Acheron) conception and subsequent birth. Just know that Ash was put in a queen's womb who was already pregnant as a way to protect Ash from those who were hunting him. See, Ash is the son of the Destroyer and he can bring an end to the world.
In Ash's book, we learn of his birth and life up until this point. He and his twin, Styxx hated each other. Ash was made to suffer atrocities that no one should suffer, especially a small child. We all developed a hatred so intense for the golden child, Styxx. But in this book, we realize that we only knew Ash's story. Styxx's story was in my opinion even worse. Not only was it over one hundred pages longer but it was almost double the size of Ash's back story. A back story that had me either too stunned to cry or sobbing uncontrollably. I won't say anything more about the back story other than you have to read it to truly know the story and the ultimate betrayals that take place.
The most beautiful part of this book is the love story between Styxx and Bethany. It was so precious and innocent. Styxx is the future king of his country and became a true war hero and a master strategist. His one and only true love was a blind girl who he met when she was fishing.
He didn't realize that his love was really the Goddess of Misery as she didn't realize he was Prince Styxx.
I don't want to give away too much about the book. Just read it even though it is 836 pages long. It moves quickly and I devoured it in less than 48 hours. I'll end this review with my favorite quotes from the book.
"Never once in my life did I feel the sunshine on my skin until the day you touched me."
"And without my Bethany, I dwell in total darkness."
"It's not fair that we're forced to live without them while the world goes on, oblivious to the fact that it's missing the most vital part of it."
"I let go of your hand eleven thousand, five hundred thirty nine years, one hundred and eighty three days and roughly ten hours give or take a few mintues ago."
"You really did count the heartbeats."
"Oh Beth, you have no idea."
This time Styxx knew that nothing would ever separate them again. And if anyone or anything was dumb enough to try they were going to learn the lesson he had given both Archon and Apollo. Styxx of Didymos fought for what he wanted. He didn't back down. He didn't give up. He didn't lose. Even if it meant coming back from the dead, he wouldn't be stopped and he would never again live without his most vital part. Bethany.

Falling For The Backup by Toni Aleo

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Assassins #3.5
Reviewed by Kay


This latest read from Toni Aleo's Assassins series is another great addition. It focuses on Jordan, who is the backup goalie. He has been on the bench since a very significant injury. While he was healing, his replacement became a star goalie and basically took his place on the team. Now that he's healed, he wants to play again and is talking with other teams. He also wants to settle down, get married and have kids, so he's looking for his future wife.

Aynslee is a elementary education teacher. A red haired Irish girl complete with a big family. She transferred down to Nashville after a breakup with her longtime boyfriend. These two meet on a plane ride back to Nashville. Instant sparks and here you go. I love these novels, I really do. This series is an auto-read for me. When she has a new book come out, I  clear my schedule so I can sit down and read it. If you haven't started reading her, you are sooo missing out on one of the best new authors there is out there. I can not wait for September when the next book comes out!

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

Grade - A
Hotness Level - Blaze
Kink Level - no kink
Genre - Steampunk
Series: Iron Seas #1
Reviewed by Anne


I'll preface this review by saying this book is an all time favorite of mine. I recently re-read it and I liked it even more, so there might be a bit of fangirl gushing going on today.
 

The Iron Seas series by Meljean Brook is steampunk. It's an alternate history where some things are the same, but others went along a different path. So in The Iron Duke, we have a historical England that has recently escaped enslavement by The Horde. The Horde controlled the people by infecting their blood with "bugs".  They also used technology to change the people in ways to match their slave occupation.  So a miner might have a pick axe for an arm and so on.  

The Horde looks different than your average English person. (I picutre the Horde as Asian.) The Horde was driven out of England due to actions by Rhys Traehearn, aka the Iron Duke. He's a national hero. On the other hand, Mina, who is the product of her loving English mother and a member of the Horde who raped her, is pretty much despised on sight by everyone due to her Horde looks. Despite that, she's an inspector with the police force, and the book starts when she's called to investigate a death on Traehearn's property.

Traehearn nearly immediately thinks Mina is someone he would like to have. Mina also feels an attraction to Traehearn, but for reasons of her own would never act on this attraction.  Traehearn is determined and the investigation keeps them together.  Unfortunately and fortunately, the investigation quickly deepens and gets more complicated.  This leads to lots of adventure and more time for them to spend together.

There is so much good about this book. Even the things that bothered me initially turned out to be so well handled, that in the end I didn't have a complaint.  One example is Thraehearn's alpha-ness.  When he first meets Mina he is enthralled by her.  She is interesting.  He wants to have her.  He gives no thought to her feelings.  He's quite confident that she will be amenable to anything he wants.  Her resistance just makes her more attractive to him.  He's rich enough that he can pull strings to get whatever he wants, and he doesn't hesitate to force Mina into a situation where she has to go along with him.  He's really an arrogant ass.  So the author has a big job in turning him into a sympathetic character.  But she does it and she does it well.  Amazingly, at the end of the book, Traehearn is every bit as much of a take charge alpha man as he was at the beginning.  He has a greater understanding and love for Mina, though, and that comes through loud and clear.  He's not afraid to make sacrifices to ensure her happiness, even if he's awfully alpha about how he does it.

 

Another thing I really appreciated was that Meljean Brook builds an interesting world, and she does it without boring info dumps.  The book has great secondary characters, too.  It's got ships on the sea and air ships that float under huge balloons!  It's got zombies and mechanical flesh.  It's got the best of sci fi/fantasy and romance together.  I highly recommend this entire series!

 

One final note.  There is a prequel to this story.  It's a short story called Here There Be Monsters.  (It's in the anthology Burning Up.)  It's one of my all time favorite short stories and is only loosely related to the Iron Duke.  However, reading it first probably did help me understand the world building.

Only Pleasure by Lora Leigh

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate
Series-Bound Hearts #10
Reviewed by Kay

For anyone who has ever read a Lora Leigh novel, you know she is a wickedly wonderful girl. I have a great many of her books on my keeper shelf. This is one of them.

Chase Falladay is a member of the Trogans. It's almost a secret society for lovers and their preferences. He's wealthy, charming, easy going and sexy. Every beautiful bit a bad boy. Kia Stanton is a socialite girl and has lusted after Chase for a long time. He has never showed her any sign of his interest and she married another man. She ends up divorcing the man she married after he tried to rape her.

Two years later she sees Chase in a bar with his friend, and series favorite, Khalid. She decides to take a walk on the wild side and leaves with them. She's always been curious regarding Washington's best kept secret. The night they spend together changes everything for them both. It sets off a blistering affair.

Kia never denies her want for a relationship with Chase. Chase lives in denial of his attraction of Kia. He has never been able to be emotionally involved with anyone so the Trogan lifestyle worked well for him. When a deranged person from Chase's past attacks Kia, he shows how he feels to everyone.

Being part of the Bound Hearts series, you expect hot and boy do you get it. This is my favorite of this series. The pages almost melt because of the heat. Lora Leigh did a great job of making you love the characters, even when I wanted to shake Chase until his teeth rattled. A great read for anyone who loves alpha males and explosive, explicit sex.

Favorite Authors for Kay

Anne and I were talking and she had the idea that we should maybe be more specific and name our favorite authors. Sounds good to me, so here goes. These are in alphabetical order not in order of preference.


Historical-

Jennifer Ashley
Maya Banks
Kresley Cole
Alexandra Hawkins
Jennifer Haymore
Lorraine Heath
Sabrina Jeffries
Nicole Jordan
Christie Kelley
Beverley Kendall
Sarah Maclean
Margaret Mallory
Monica McCarty
Sarah McCarty
Jenna Petersen
Julia Quinn
Michele Sinclair

Paranormal-

Lara Adrian
Shannon K. Butcher
Kresley Cole
Alexandra Ivy
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Shelly Laurenston
Gena Showalter
J.R. Ward

Contemporary-

Bella Andre
Maya Banks
Shayla Black
Toni Blake
Jaci Burton
Lorelei James
Robin Kaye
Susan Mallery
Lisa Marie Rice
Jill Shalvis

These are my favorites and I like almost everything they write in these genres. I hope this gives insight into some of what I like and please feel free to comment and let me know some of yours.

Kay

Comfort Reads

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Elite Ops #2
Reviewed by Kay

Micah Sloane has no family. He is an Elite Ops agent and a former Mossad agent. He was a former Mossad agent because he's no longer alive. By that, I mean that he was reported dead but he is actually still living. He is part of the group that Noah Blake is from. He has a chance to catch the killer that murdered his parents, but to do so he has to use Risa Clay as a way to lure out the killer.

Risa Clay has had the most horrific things happen to her. She was a victim of a kidnapping, she was drugged, she almost died, she was brutally raped while her father watched and she was wrongfully institutionalized to keep her quiet. She was raised by monsters who told her she was so ugly no one would ever want her and and she should never procreate and pass that ugliness on to a child.

She decides it's been long enough after her rape to embrace her sexuality. She's given the rest of her life six years to settle and now it's her sex life's turn. She meets Micah and from there her life will never be the same. As the situation is explained to her, she is resentful towards Micah, as she should be. But the part that hurt me was that she was accepting of the fact that there was a contract on her head. She was willing to go along with being the bait, she just didn't want Micah posing as her love interest.

I rank this book right up there with Lora Leigh's Wild Card. I even cried harder in this book. Every emotion is felt while reading it. You cheer for Risa because no one else ever has. Even at the height of betrayal for Risa she conducts herself with as much dignity as possible.  You have to read the entire Tempting SEALs series to fully understand what's going on but I encourage you to do it. This novel is worth that and so much more.

Comfort Reads

Grade-A+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Elite Ops #1
Reviewed by Kay

Noah Blake is a trained killer. Nothing else exists for him now. He's part of a team of elite operatives from different fields and different countries. Sabella Malone is a widow and she's in big trouble by homeland terrorists. She doesn't know that though, she's just trying to move on with her life. She desperately still loves and misses her husband. He is the love of her life.

This story wraps up the Tempting SEALs series and spawns the Elite Ops series. Noah goes into protect Bella and gather information regarding the terrorist cell. Their attraction is blistering and so heartfelt. They both deal with their issues regarding the past.

Characters from the Tempting SEAL series return and help the Elite Op characters. The best of both worlds in my opinion. This is the absolute best novel by Lora Leigh. She hit her stride with this story. I felt every emotion while reading this book. This a tremendous story of second chances for a couple that deserves and needs it. It is also about forgiveness, acceptance, self-redemption and most importantly love. When I finished this novel, my heart was full.

Comfort Reads

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Tempting SEALs #5
Reviewed by Kay

This novella is the story and wrap up to the Tempting SEALs series and spins off Leigh's Black Ops series. It is also the story of my personal favorite, Mason "Macey" March and Emerson Delaney. It starts with a blistering scene is the Admiral's study at a party and from there it never slows down.

Emerson has lusted after Macey for years but knows he is the love 'em and leave 'em type, so therefore not for her. Macey has lusted after Emerson for the same amount of time but waited until he felt the time was right.

These two characters just delighted me to no end. My only complaint was it was too short and ended one of my favorite series of all time.

Comfort Reads

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Tempting SEALs #4
Reviewed by Kay

Ian Richards is now going by his father's last name of Fuentes. He made a deal with his father that I don't want to tell about, but suffice it to say, it was a doozy. Ian moved in with his father and is helping him run his cartel. Quite a change for a former SEAL. His former teammates are stunned, his mother and stepfather also. No one can believe he's a traitor, especially not Kira Porter, who shared an encounter with Ian in Hidden Agendas.

Kira Porter is down in Central America to see for herself about Ian. She basically bulldozes and schemes her way into Ian's life. Never mind that he tries to push her away. Kira is a force to be reckoned with. She's a double agent kind of girl. She wants Ian and he better be accepting of it.

Kira made me laugh with her antics. Ian made me smile with his alpha tendencies. This pair was made for each other. The suspense of whether Ian is guilty or not is definitely in question, but I'm not telling. You'll have to read the blazing love story for yourself.

Comfort Reads

 
Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Tempting Seals #3
Reviewed by Kay

Book two deals with the continued aftermath of the date rape drug that has been unleashed by Diego Fuentes and his associates. Diego is a huge part in this series but so far more of a bit player. He was one of the men behind the kidnapping of three young girls. All in their teenage years to very early twenties maybe. Two of the three girls were rescued but one died from complications of the drug. Two of the three girls were raped repeatedly including the girl who died.

Emily Stanton is one of the survivors and was not one of them that was raped. She is the heroine of this book. I loved Emily. She was a pistol. A kindergarten teacher with a fierce sense of adventure. Her father is a retired SEAL so she has grown up around her father's men and associates. She has carried a torch for the elusive Kell Kreiger.

Kell Krieger, who we first met in Dangerous Games, is also a SEAL and friend of the Stanton family.
He has secretly longed for Emily but considered her too young in age and experience for him. He and his SEAL team are brought in to protect Emily when information points to the Fuentes cartel being on the hunt for Emily.

Lora Leigh involves us in a continuing storyline with the date rape drug and a couple of pretty big plot twists. This is one of my favorites in this series. Emily and Kell were precious together. If you are wondering about the love scenes...blistering!

Tigers and Devils by Sean Kennedy

Grade-A+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Reviewed by Anne

I can't believe I waited so long to read this book! It was incredible! I didn't want to put it down.  I was severely book cranky inbetween reading sessions. I see there is a sequel that catches up with Simon and Declan a few years later. I will definitely read it, but for now I just want them to be perfectly happy in my head for a while!
Tigers and Devils is a contemporary male/male romance set in Australia.  And when I say it's set in Australia, it's really in Australia, with Australian slang and references I had to figure out.  Declan is a pro footballer and a mega celebrity.  He just happens to overhear Simon both insulting and defending him at a party.  Simon is a huge football fan, but a bit of an "arty wanker".  After overhearing a comment that lets him know Simon is gay, Declan comes on to Simon when they are alone.  The only hitch is that Declan is far, far in the closet.  And this starts a funny and touching journey for the two of them together. 

There were several things I loved about this book.  I smiled constantly while reading it.  The whole story is told from Simon's point of view, and he's a funny, self-depreciating guy.  The story also feels very realistic.  I believed in Simon and Declan's affection for each other.  That made their situation all the more gut wrenching. 

Simon and Declan were great characters, too.  Neither was perfect, and both made frustrating decisions.  The way they worked through things was realistic, too.  It's incredible writing!

There were a few little things that might bother some readers.  As I mentioned, the story is told exclusively from Simon's point of view.  This worked fine for me.  Also, the sex in this book is behind closed doors and not detailed. There's no doubt it takes place, and there's lots of it, but it's not written explicitly.

I highly recommend this story!

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.

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.

Comfort Reads

So, I had this bright idea that we should do a joint post.  We haven’t had many books to review lately, because I’ve been reading what Kay is reading, but about a week behind, which doesn’t work well for review purposes.  Kay’s work schedule got a little more involved.  That’s the only excuse I can come up with.  Or maybe she just thought I was slacking?  I don’t know, but the result is that we haven’t posted any new reviews and I’m about 2 days (or more) away from finishing my current read.  (And, Oh Wow! I am loving Riveted by Meljean Brook.  So good.  And Kay won’t even read the series because it’s not hot enough for her.  Kay, you’re missing out!)

 
OK, so I was thinking a joint post about what our favorite, comfort read are would be fun.  One where we both contribute, talking about what we read again and again.  I was going to get Kay’s input and then rewrite everything, but after looking at our emails, I think you’ll get to know us better by seeing them as they were sent.

***
From: Anne
To: Kay
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 12:30 PM
Subject: joint post

Hey, let’s do a joint post about comfort reads.  I’ll write it, but will you send me a short list of the books you read over and over for comfort and why they are a comfort read for you.

 For me, off the top of my head, it’s

 Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon, because I love the relationship between Vane and Bride.  I love that she’s a bigger woman and that’s a turn on for him.  I have to ignore the WTF time travel in the middle, though.

Irene’s story* in Shelly Laurenston’s series.  It’s just so over the top and perfect, I love it.

Laid Bare by Lauren Dane is one I’ve enjoyed multiple times.

Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward is a great re-read, and since you already know what happens you can totally skip the Lessers.

 I’ll think about it and may edit my list a bit, but if you want to send me your list I’ll make it into a post.

 ~Anne
***
From: Kay
To: Anne
Sent: Saturday, October 20, 2012 1:27 PM
Subject: joint post

Don't laugh, this is my short list:

If You Deceive-Kresley Cole
A Hunger Like No Other-Kresley Cole
Highlander Untamed-Monica McCarty
Dark Lover-J.R. Ward
Lover Eternal-J.R.Ward
Extreme Danger-Shannon Mckenna
Nauti Nights-Lora Leigh
Nauti Dreams-Lora Leigh
Nauti Intentions-Lora Leigh
Only Pleasure-Lora Leigh
Wild Card-Lora Leigh
Raising Kane-Lorelei James
The Mane Event-Shelly Laurenston
The Mane Atrraction-Shelly Laurenston
Miss Congenialty-Shelly Laurenston
Tucker's Claim-Sarah McCarty
Dance With The Devil-Sherrilyn Kenyon

All this did was upset me because now I wanna read these books and I'm too far behind. As usual!

***

So, first off you might notice that Kay’s definition of a “short list” of books is not very short.  That’s ok, I understand.  Upon reflection you might also notice that I can’t write a short email.  Nope.  I just can’t.  This one to Kay is one of the shortest I’ve ever written.  And it contains a list.  And I can’t just give a list.  No, I need to write out my reason for every entry on the list.  That’s just the way it is.

So, there you are, a little insight into Kay and me.

~Anne

PS *The Shelly Laurenston story I mentioned is Miss Congeniality by Shelly Laurenston.