Tie Me by Olivia Cunning

Grade-A+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-One Night With Sole Regret #5
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
159 pages

Kellen Jamison is man trapped in the past. His life looks pretty sweet. He's gorgeous, wealthy, a rock star, has a great best friend and good band mates. But he is partially broken inside. His guilt over promises he made to a dead woman eat him alive. He tortures himself by revisiting the beach house she loved so much. He wears a cuff on one of his wrists as a remembrance of her. He loves her and doesn't know how to stop.

Dawn O'Reilly is a classical, composing pianist with a Grammy for her achievements. She is staying in a rented beach house for part of the summer trying to finish a piece of music that has her exasperated. Her muse is gone and she can't find another. She has to be perfect, her music has to be perfect. After a disappointing evening trying to compose, she goes out onto her deck in the storm and sees a man. In that moment everything changes.

This is probably Olivia Cunning's best work to date in my opinion. I have been waiting for Kellen's story and this one was fantastic. The emotion in this story was at times almost overwhelming. It took Dawn's tenacity and determination to make Kellen see that he was alive even if Sara wasn't. Kellen had to make peace with the promises he made to Sara (who seemed a bit childish and a whole lot selfish in the description of her) and his acknowledgement that it is possible and okay to always love someone's memory even while you go on living your life. This book moved me to tears, both happy and sad tears. I highly recommend it.

Dark Wolf by Kate Douglas

Grade: B+

Hotness Level: Inferno

Kink Level: Low Kink

Genre: Shifter, menage

Series: Spirit Wild #1

Reviewed by Anne

 

Lily is a successful leader in her community of Chanku (shifters).  They are known in the human world and she's sort of an unofficial princess and official representative of her people.  Sebastian is the son of the Chanku's most outspoken opponent.  Lily's Chanku heritage allows her to shift into a wolf, and she has magic as well.  Sebastian uses magic alone to shift into wolf form. Sebastian grew up separated from his father, only discovering his existence when his mother was dying.  Despite her objections, Sebastian sought out his father and is now regretting his actions. 

Recently a serial rapist and killer has been attacking human women.  The women are raped and then savaged by wolves, which points to a Chanku killer.  However, Sebastian also has weird things going on in his life that make him wonder if he or his father are somehow involved.

 

This book really worked for me!  Though it's listed as first in a series on Goodreads, I could tell as I read that there had been books before it.  A little research shows that this Spirit Wild series is a spin off or next generation series from the Wolf Tales (and other books) the author has written.  Still, I read Dark Wolf with no problems keeping up with the many characters.  I also thought the world building was done well.  It came in little pieces as I read, and again, I had no problems keeping up. 

The book reminded me of Lora Leigh's Breeds series and Kit Rocha's O'Kane books.  Lora Leigh because of the animalistic, even in human form, characters as well as their highly sexual nature.  The Kit Rocha comparison comes because of the multi partner accepting and sexually open society the Chanku have.  Initially that caught me off guard, but I liked the community the author created.  I was a bit surprised at how accepting Sebastian was of this when he learned of it.  That was a bit unrealistic for me.  I did like their society/pack and enjoyed reading about it.

 

Another small weakness to me was in the secondary storyline between Annie and Alex.  Annie pops on the scene with no mention her beforehand around page 100.  She's been out of the country and mostly out of touch for years, but suddenly she and Lily are best friends.  I also thought the Annie and Alex story arc felt a bit rushed, but that was just a minor quibble for me.

The sex scenes were very well done and hot.  I enjoyed them!  Lily and Sebastian were great characters and I could really understand where they were coming from.  I liked the world the book took place in a lot.  I've already mentioned the sexually accepting society, but I also liked the pack and mate telepathy as well as the mate bonding.  The women were strong and essential parts of their pack, which I appreciated. Lily even came across as stronger and more sure of herself than Sebastian, and it's rare to see something like that in a romance, and especially to have it work so well!  

Sometimes the things going on seemed a little over the top, but I liked it overall enough to set aside those moments.  I'm putting this book on my Best of 2013 list and I really look forward to reading another book in this series!

Claim Me by J. Kenner

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Stark Trilogy #2
Reviewed by Kay

Let me start by saying that I have never the first book in this trilogy. I was given the book as an ARC to read and review.

Damien Stark is a financial wizard. Very handsome, wealthy and of course scarred. In the first novel of this series, he and Nikki Fairchild agree to an arrangement. He will pay her one million dollars if she is his for an agreed upon amount of time. She is his to do with what he wants, sexual or otherwise.

At the start of this novel, their arrangement is over but not the feelings that have grown between them. They face struggles from their pasts and basically his inability to fully trust. I never fully connected with these characters but I feel that's because I never read the first book. I liked the writing style and it was easy to read but I just never really cared about them as characters. I think had I read the first book I might have liked this more.

Lover At Last by J. R Ward

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Black Dagger Brotherhood #11
Reviewed by Kay

Beware there are spoilers below!

Blay and Qhuinn? Where do I start? I loved it! I just loved it! Okay, first off, I am so glad J.R. Ward finally brought them together. We have all waited forever. The relationship has been painful to watch over the years. My heart has always went out to Blay and in the last two books, Qhuinn. Before that, Qhuinn was kind of an asshat. I know he was in denial but come on! Watching their love unfold in this novel was beautiful. I couldn't be anymore happy.

The fight for the throne? Yikes, I'm kind of scared about this one. It should be very interesting how this unfolds. Wrath and Beth? A baby? I hope so. Wrath handling the glymera? Loved it!

Qhuinn's brother? Hmm? We'll have to see about him. I'm still mad at him for his previous treatment of his brother.

Xcor and Layla? Wow! I can not freaking wait for their story!

Trez and Iam? Oh, please, please, please. Now!

Saxton, what's he up to? I really like him. I wonder if he's gonna upset me.

Qhuinn and Layla? What a wonderful relationship! I'm glad Qhuinn has an actual female friend.

An induction into the Brotherhood? Qhuinn? What about John Matthew and Blay?

I had three big problems with this book though. One was Blay's dishonesty with Qhuinn about the end of his relationship with Saxton. Two was Qhuinn being okay with what he thought was cheating with Blay against Saxton. And three, Assail, in general. Don't like his character.  I hope I will learn to like him like I did Rev.

This was a great read and I can not wait for the next book! I wish the next book was Xcor and Layla but no, it's Wrath and Beth. Oh well!

Captive In The Dark by C.J. Roberts

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-Low
Series-The Dark Duet #1
Reviewed by Kay

Well, I wouldn't classify this as a romance. It's a dark suspense novel in my opinion. It has been all over a review site I frequent and I assumed there was something more to it than it's blurb. I have had it on my Kindle for awhile and decided it was time. Anne and I spoke about this book months back and thought it was too dark. After reading it, I think we were right.

Caleb is a flesh peddler. A human trafficker. A horrid, horrible person. His only feelings are those of revenge. It is what he lives for and for what happened to him, I feel his desire for revenge is justified. However, he is a despicable human being.

Livvy is an eighteen year old high school senior. All she wants is an escape from the life she leads through a college scholarship. She's innocent, inexperienced and beautiful. She somehow captured Caleb's attention. God help her.

Livvy is to become the instrument of Caleb's revenge against the man who wronged him. She is to be a submissive, willing to do whatever is asked of her. Caleb needs to break her down to make her into a virginal prize on the trafficking market. As they spend more time together, Caleb feels more and more for Livvy.

I'm not saying anything else regarding the outcome of the book but know there is a second one out there. This is a dark, gritty, powerful and life changing novel. I sat my twenty year old daughter down and told her about this book as a warning. C.J. Roberts has penned an excellently written novel. I certainly hope this book doesn't try to make this more romantic because this man in my opinion is beyond any sort of redemption.

The Jezebel by Saskia Walker

Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Inferno
Kink Level: Low Kink
Genre: Historical set Paranormal
Series: Taskill Witches #3
Reviewed by Anne

Maisie is a witch.  After being forced to watch her mother burned at the stake, Maisie is taken in (actually, nearly kidnapped) by a very rich couple who keep her safe and raise her.  Unfortunately, her adoptive "father" Cyrus is also grooming her to be his possession and tool.  He raises her to be afraid of witch hunters and hide her powers, all while guiding her to use them for his benefit.  Once Maisie realizes what is going on, she runs away and talks ship captain Roderick Cameron into taking her aboard his ship, which is on its way to her homeland of Scotland.  In exchange for the trip she agrees give him her virginity.  He doesn't believe she's a virgin, but agrees to take her on in exchange for sex.

One of the most delightful things about this book is how this setup is quickly turned upside down.  Just reading the summary above or the back of the book blurb sets you up to think Maisie is sacrificing her virginity in order to escape a horrible situation.  In actuality, you find out quickly that losing her virginity will bring her into her full witchy powers.  She knows this, and is using Roderick for her own means.  This makes it so they come into this relationship on pretty equal grounds, and that was refreshing!

Maisie also turns out to really enjoy sex, and isn't shy about that.  Roderick, in turn, really enjoys the fact that Maisie enjoys sex.  There's no slut shaming and no "sex=evil" in this story which was great!  

 

Maisie is also a strong character.  She finds herself in a tough situation and devises a plan to get herself out of it.  I found myself rooting for her, and as much as I liked Roderick, I really wanted Maisie to be her own hero and save herself.  I want you to enjoy this book without me spoiling it for you, so I won't detail how things worked out, but I was really happy with the resolution of things.

 

One final note: This is the third book in the Taskill Witches series. However, I had no problems following along without having read the first two. It stand alone very well - the only problem is you'll want to go back and read the first two, because this one was so good!

Wicked All The Way by Shayla Black

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low Kink
Series-Wicked Lovers #6.5
Reviewed by Kay

Caleb Edgington is a retired Colonel and sniper for the Army. He has been mentioned in the other books of this series but as a background character. This novella is all about him and he's as entertaining as the rest of the men in this series.

Carlotta Buckley is a divorcee and Caleb's daughter-in-law's mother. We met Carlotta a couple of books ago when her daughter rescued her from a abusive marriage. Caleb has been helping her get back on her feet.

Both of these characters had to do a lot of accepting, not only of the other but of themselves and their pasts. It was nice to read about Carlotta trying to be more independent after her marriage and Caleb trying to be less domineering with her.

Oh, Shayla Black. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. If you've never read Shayla Black then I highly suggest you do. No one writes a love scene better! No one! Her love scenes blister the pages and have you reaching for something to fan yourself with. Her stories are endearing for the most part. A little heavy on the BDSM at times for me, but I'm a little prudish to begin with for that sub-genre(pardon the pun). This was a great read and I can't wait for the next book in this series coming out May 7th!

Reaper's Property by Joanna Wylde

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low Kink
Series-Reapers MC #1
Reviewed by Kay

I decided to read this book because they talked about on another review site and they liked it. I enjoyed Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley, so I thought, what the heck.

Horse, and yes that's his name, is a member of the Reapers motorcycle club. He's ex-Special Forces and a big guy. Very alpha male. Very, very alpha male. He's very rough and tumble. I can't express that enough.

Marie is a sweet character who is going through a divorce from an abusive husband. She lives with her brother Jeff in a trailer as she tries to get her life back on course. Jeff gets into trouble with the Reapers and Marie is taken as collateral. She becomes Horse's house mouse. This entails lots of sex but not benefits that an old lady gets.

This story was really good. I enjoyed it alot. It reminded me of Sons Of Anarchy, which is a show I love. Horse and Marie lit up the pages. Their chemistry is WOW! I don't want to give too much of the story away, so I'll stop there. Just as a warning and an FYI, if you don't like alpha males, don't read this. If you don't like a dirty book, don't read this. Lucky for me, I love them both.

I

All Over You by Emily Snow

Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-Low
Series-Devoured #0.5
Reviewed by Kay

This is the prequel to Emily Snow's Devoured series. It is about the events that led up to the night Lucas and Sienna almost shared together. Lucas is a rock star and Sienna is the wardrobe assistant at the video shoot for his band. He sees her and decides he must have her. No matter what. He pursues her and she finally gives into his invitation to dinner.

Sienna is a shy and kind person. Almost too soft hearted if you ask me. She tried to rebuff Lucas but to no avail. She was just in awe and over her head where Lucas was concerned. He takes her to his house where they have dinner and then the seduction starts. Sienna is right there with him the whole way until he brings out the handcuffs. She refuses and all bets are off now. He throws her out and that ends the story pretty much.

I liked having the prequel to read even if I read it after the first book. It filled in the blanks a little bit. I would recommend this story and the first book in the series. Good reads. Can't wait for book three.

Undeniable by Alison Kent

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Dalton Gang #1
Reviewed by Kay

Arwen Poole is a bar owner in a smallish ranch town. She is also the daughter of the town drunk. She doesn't know that she's beautiful either. She is very content with her life. At least, she was until the Dalton Gang moved back home.

Dax Campbell has been kind of a drifter since he left town at eighteen years old. He left town to escape his dysfunctional family and their expectations of him. He spent his teen years at the Dalton ranch with the family he always wanted. He made the Daltons and his friends his family.

He and his friends come home after the death of the Daltons to take care of the ranch that was willed to the three of them. He sees Arwen and their relationship starts off with a bang. Literally.

I liked this novel a lot. Liked all the characters and what they are going through. Dax and Arwen struggle to put a label on their relationship because of their pasts. I loved the emotions I felt while reading and the sex...hot and frequent.

Just Ask by Mia Downing

Grade-B-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low, some very mild D/s

Genre: m/m, contemporary
Reviewed by Kate

When tycoon Jordan Hill inherits half of an island resort, he wants nothing more than to sell it quickly. But first, he has to spread his uncle's ashes and meet the other owner, Ryan McCale (you see where this is heading, don't you?). His uncle wanted him to take a vacation and relax, but Jordan doesn't do vacations or relaxing.

Jordan takes a horseback tour of the island looking for a places to spread the ashes, but finds himself looking at the male tour guide instead. Which is weird since he's straight, right? When the guide turns out to be Ryan, Jordan knows they will be spending more time together.

Jordan gets the impression that Ryan might be interested in him and decides to throw caution to the wind. A weekend of sex sounds good to both Jordan and Ryan. Not wanting him to sell the resort, Ryan decides to use the lure of sex to force Jordan explore and really see the island as more than just a business. Both are surprised by their feelings in what was supposed to be a what-happens-on-the-island-stays-on-the-island weekend.

I liked the connection between Ryan, who is very secure in his sexuality, and Jordan, who is exploring this new side of himself. What pulled me out of the story a bit was the suddeness of their affair. One minute Jordan is wondering why he's turned on by Ryan and the next minute they are romping naked in the ocean. There was no hesitation or second guessing on Jordan's part. He jumped in with both feet, which seemed a bit unbelievable. Once I got past the suddeness I enjoyed the story.

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-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.

Breaking Brodix by Anne Rainey

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-Blackwater #3
Reviewed by Kay

Brodix is one of the Jennings brothers of Blackwater. He's the financial guy, helping with the Grand Opening of the family restaurant. He and his brothers have privacy issues with their lives prior to adoption by the Jennings family.

Sarah Greer is a divorced reporter in their small town and she's trying to live down a lead who gave her false info she went to print with. She wanted to do a human interest story on the Jennings' and hopes it will help with increasing profits at the restaurant.

Brodix agrees she can interview him and him only. They go have dinner and then sex at his house. Feel a little rushed with the way I'm reviewing it? I felt that way when I was reading it. This wasn't a bad story just a short one and short love stories are very rushed. I really like the series and am awaiting the next one.

Retreat Hell! She Just Got Here by Heather Long

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series-1 Night Stand, Always A Marine #2
Reviewed by Kay

This is the second installment in a short story series. It involves Jazz, Logan and Zach. Logan and Zach do a favor for a friend of theirs. Jazz wants to feel girlie since she is always around alpha males and some of those males have to report to her. She has a spa day and then goes to basically an escort service where she meets Logan and Zach.

Logan was injured while on deployment and discharged on permanent disability. His injuries are severe enough he fears he may be emasculated for the rest of his life. Zach just wants his best friend back but if he gets to have sex with a hot girl in the process, hell yeah.

It really was kind of a sweet story in that Logan's fear of rejection was dealt with. Also through Zach's desire to see his friend whole again. I was grateful for no I love yous with this story, just an agreement that they would get together on her next leave. Whether I'd read more in the series remains to be seen.

All In by Raine Miller

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Low
Series- The Blackstone Affair #2
Reviewed by Kay

Book two starts right where book one ended. Every relationship has it's pitfalls and this one is no different. Ethan wants to protect Brynne at all costs, even if honesty and full disclosure get lost in the shuffle. This proves to be a big mistake, which is no shock. Lessons have to be learned.

The story was good if not a little slow in the middle. I can't really go into any detail without revealing the heart of this book. I am looking forward to the next one and hope it's soon. The author self publishes and that can be difficult sometimes. I appreciate that and wish her luck on this and her other endeavors.

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.