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.

Staking His Claim by Tessa Bailey

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-Line of Duty #5
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay

Matt Donovan is a sniper with the ESU (police department). He's a very solitary soul despite his friends constantly luring him to be more social. He keeps to himself because he feels if his friends find out what really goes on in his kind, they would think he's a freak. He gets roped into transporting his best friend, Brent's little sister and her friend to New York for a visit. He does it to be a nice guy beacuse Brent is busy with wedding plans.

Lily Mason is a little bit of a free spirit. Or atleast she used to be. She's a college graduate with several job offers. Job offers she plans to put to good use to help her brother out financially. Her best friend decides to spend the weekend with her boyfriend instead of accompanying Lucy to New York. When she sees Matt Donovan she's overwhelmed by him and extremely attracted. Matt has never seen a picture of her and she knows he would never make a play on his best friend's little sister, so she introduces herself by her friend's name.

Matt likes what he sees in Brent's sister's friend. A lot. She also sending the vibes he wants to explore with her. He's hesitant because of his darker needs (his thoughts not mine). They have a scorching hot few hours together on their way to New York. But lies always come to the surface and Lucy's blows up in her face. This leaves her wondering if they have a chance at being more than a fling.

To say I was disappointed to find out Matt had Dom tendencies would be an understatement. I've been waiting for his book. I didn't hate the book but I didn't love it. Let me say that it was easy to read which I have come to expect from Tessa Bailey. I'm not sorry I bought or read this book, it just wasn't my favorite being that any BDSM storyline leaves me a little bit skeeved out. Still good characters, great humor, tremendous foul mouthed dialogue and scorching sex scenes. I can't wait to see what she gives us next but please Tessa no more Dom related stuff.

Asking For Trouble by Tessa Bailey

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Line of Duty #4
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
250 pages

Brent Mason is an explosives expert with the police department. He's crude, rude and adorable. Hayden Winstead is a wealthy, beautiful woman with a whole lot of sass. These two have been circling each other since their best friends fell in love not too long ago. They have snipey comments and insults to hurl at each other all the time.

One night they banter back and forth, neither willing to back down. When the bantering goes to far, they have an encounter. This encounter has them seeing one another in a different light and it changes everything.

I so enjoyed this book. I always enjoy her foul mouthed heroes. I really enjoy them. I enjoyed her first book a lot. Then the next two stories were just okay for me. This one redeemed the series for me. Scorching hot sex packed with emotion, this was a homerun. The following quotes were my favorites:

"Be warned, though. If you take away the use of my hands, I'll only make up for it with my mouth."-Brent

"You think you know what I need? Enlighten me."-Hayden
"You need a good tongue-fucking."-Brent

"When I take them off, you're not going to...I mean..."-Hayden
"What? Throw you down on the floor and see if you fuck as hot as you kiss?"-Brent

Brent talking about Hayden bitching about his shoulders-"You didn't mind them last night when you were kneeling on them."

I just love her heroes' quotes!

Tie Me Down by Tracy Wolff

Grade-DNF
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
296 pages

This book should've been so good. It is erotic romantic suspense, two of my favorite things.

Genevieve is a New Orleans homicide detective who knows there's a serial killer loose in her city. The problem is that her superior doesn't believe her. She knows its just a matter of time until he kills again. She picks up a stranger in a bar and they have a no holds barred night of sex. She finds out the next day that he has old articles about her life and these open sex cases. She was looking for a shirt of his to wear since he tore hers to shreds the night before. Needless to say, she gets the hell out of there while he out getting breakfast.

Cole is an award winning documentary director. His sister was murdered years ago when she moved to New Orleans. He comes to town to do a movie and to see Genevieve. He wants to help in her investigation in hopes he finds his sister's killer. He is her one night stand from the bar.

It sounds fantastic doesn't it? I just never worked for me and tried to read it not once but twice. I love romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. I love hot sex in my books and lots of it. This book was pretty much all sex. Wait, at least the part  that I read. This was a DNF for me, which is rare, and never in the romantic suspense category. I wouldn't say this is a bad book for everybody but it just wasn't for me.

Dirty Pleasures by Melody Snow Monroe

Grade-D-

Hotness Level-Inferno

Kink Level-Mild Kink

Series-Pleasure, Montana #10

Genre-Contemporary/Menage

Reviewed by Kate

166 pages

 

Gabe and Dylan had been assigned to protect Ceci on their last case. Despite being extremely attracted to her, they kept their hands to themselves. But now the case is over and it's time to discover if Ceci feels the same way about them.

 

This book didn't work for me on so many levels. Other than being huge and manly in so many masculine ways, there didn't seem to be anything remarkable or memorable about either Gabe or Dylan. Ceci had so much internal turmoil that it was hard to connect with her. She has what comes across as OCD and is also trying to deal with her self hatred eminating from her ex-boyfriend's suicide. It was more than I wanted to read about.

 

As far as the kink goes with this one, I couldn't decide whether this one was a BDSM read or not. There was some spanking and they did visit a club (which was a disappointing scene for a BDSM reader like me). But neither of the men seemed real dom-like even though Ceci granted them the Dom title simply because they never let her do what she wanted.

 

This book may appeal to fans of the Pleasure, Montana series, but to a Pleasure, Montana virgin (*snort*)like myself, it just didn't work.

 

Slow Ride Home by Leah Braemel

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-The Grady Legacy #1
Genre-Contemporary Western
Reviewed by Kay
257 pages

Ben Grady is half owner of the Bull's Hollow ranch. He is a partner with his brother Jake. His first love was Allie Daniels. They dated in high school until Allie's father was found out as a thief and they left town. Ben has never gotten over Allie. Turns out there was a video made of Ben, Allie and Ben's best friend, Logan when they had a threesome. This video led to Allie losing her scholarship to Texas A&M.

Fast forward fifteen years and Allie is a lawyer who handles property title disputes. Bull's Hollow had part of it's shares held for a unknown heir. Ben and his family think the whole claim is ridiculous and their title insurance company sends in Allie to investigate. Ben and Allie's first meeting after fifteen years is strained to say the least. I won't give anymore plot away but that's the synopsis on how this story starts.

I am a sucker for western romances. I'm also a sucker for second chance love stories. I enjoyed both of the tropes here. What I didn't enjoy was the idea that back in high school a girl engaged in a threesome. I'm not a prude but it's hard for me to buy into it. The suspense of finding out if there was truly another heir was entertaining but I kind of thought my heroine was a slut. This tainted the book for me. I will admit that even though there was copious amounts of descriptive sex in this book that were hot, it still left me a little cold. I don't know if I'll read any more in this series yet.

                     

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.

Against the Ropes by Sarah Castille

Grade-DNF
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
368 pages

Ok, so the blurb on this book sounds so very good.

Scarred MMA fighter, who's also a billionaire meets an almost EMT. He then hires the curvy almost EMT to do first aid at his underground MMA club. She needs the money and thinks he's hot, so she accepts the position, even though she abhors violence. They start to date and are totally into each other, then the book starts to hint at his BDSM tendencies.

I got a text from a friend of mine who was reading the book at the same time I was and she mentioned nipple clamps. My friend, who knows me well was warning me because I now have a "hard limit" with nipple clamps. I decided that I have enough to read without reading about that or any other books delving into BDSM.

This book started out so good. I was super excited but seriously, I have had it up to my eyeballs with this genre and it's flooding of the romance market. If you're into reading about that, then try this book. You may love it. Nice heroine and hot fighter. Even decent secondary characters. Quirky humor also.

Burn by Maya Banks

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-Breathless #3
Genre-Contemporary Erotic Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
353 pages

This is Ash's book and I've been so excited to read it. I even read it in book form and that's saying a lot because I see much better in ebook format. I loved this story so much because I've been intrigued by Ash and I felt a little sorry for him after Jace's book. I desperately wanted him to have his HEA and he certainly got it! He saw Josie across the park and knew right then that he had to have her, that she was different. Oh, he fought for about two seconds, stupid boy! They were kindred souls despite their vast differences.

They start their relationship quickly and no holds barred. Sex starts soon and continues very frequently, thank god! There was good hot sex in this book. I enjoyed the fact that even though she was submissive, she still had a backbone and didn't let Ash walk all over her. I hope somehow she writes a book about Brittney, Ash's sister. I'd like to read about her. I'm kind of sad that this is supposedly the end of the trilogy. I enjoyed it and this is my favorite story of the three.

Nobody's Angel by Kallypso Masters

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate Kink
Series-Rescue Me #2
Genre-Contemporary BDSM
Reviewed by Kay
314 pages

Marc is another ex-soldier and a third owner in a kink club. He was Master Marco when he was younger and enjoys the BDSM lifestyle. One night at the club when he was monitoring the dungeon he sees a woman being abused by her wanna-be Dom boyfriend. He rescues her and makes sure she gets home without further harm.

Angelina is the woman who was abused at the club. She was in what's called sub-space which I considered to be almost separated mind and body to deal with what was happening to her. She was so out of it she thought Marc was a wolf shifter because of his mask and the books she likes to read. She hated what was done to her but soon realizes that she enjoys submitting to a certain extent.

This was the second story in this series and honestly I never really liked Marc. I did however like Angelina and enjoyed her journey in BDSM. I really wish that Marc would've been honest about who he was and what he really wanted to have with her. I am enjoying this series but I wasn't crazy about this book. I will read on though because this series is about more than BDSM sex, it packs some heavy emotion. Thanks again Kate and Mindy for suggesting it!

Claimed By HIm by Red Garnier

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Billionaire's Club #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
109 pages

Graves is a true self made man with his robotics empire. He has good friends, wealth and he's in love . With his best friend's little sister. He keeps his distance because he knows he's all screwed up. His childhood scars rule his sexual liaisons. He doesn't like to be kissed or touched really. He's totally closed off. But Chloe touches him soul deep.

Chloe is a few years younger in age than Graves and many years younger in experience. You see, for her, it's always been Graves. She has loved him since she was fifteen and has been waiting for him to notice her. She's attempted to flirt with him for a while now to no avail. She offers herself up to him, only for him to rebuff her. She then says she will lose her virginity to someone, maybe even his friend Luke.

Oh, how I love the best friend's brother or sister trope! I really, really do! I just never felt that deep of a connection between these two. The author told us there was one but it never fully clicked for me. I loved the premise and the blistering hot dialogue. And the sex? On fire! I did like this book and the second one enough to try and read the rest of the series though.

The Submissive by Tara Sue Me

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate Kink
Series-The Submissive Trilogy #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
304 pages

This is a story about a woman who wants to submit to a man and a Dom who is willing to test her. Abby researched Nathaniel, a known Dom because she wanted to experience her own submissiveness. And Nathaniel had the reputation to be very good at teaching submissives. He gave her his requirements that went as far as an exercise plan and diet guidelines. Abby was thrilled with most of it. The relationship that unfolds is kind of a roller coaster ride between which Nathaniel she gets at which time. Cold and detached or tender and sweet Nathaniel.

I have read other reviews and this is said to be fan-fiction. I really don't care because I enjoyed the book just like I did with the 50 Shades books. It was a story about two people who just might end up being exactly what the other needs and that's enough for me. I liked the characters and the sex was HOT! I will definitely read more of this series.

Masters At Arms by Kallypso Masters

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-Rescue Me #1
Genre-Contemporary Military BDSM Romance
Reviewed by Kay
166 pages

Warning to those that don't know, this is a prequel to the series. I didn't have a problem with that though. I found it engaging, well written and enthralling. I can't wait to read this series!

This story is done in parts but a summary is that these three men joined the military for various reasons and suffered tragic losses, both military and personal. They formed a bond serving together and continued that bond after their tours were over. They realized they all had Dom tendencies and opened a fetish club in Denver. There are more characters to be introduced as the series goes on I think.

I don't want to give anything away so that's all I can say. Read this series and become addicted like me. My only thought is that I hope I can handle all the BDSM that's surely coming my way. Oh, and I wish Marc's story wasn't first because I really want to read about Damian and Adam first. I guess I better warn the hubby about the money we will be missing when I buy them.

Thanks to Kate and my friend Mindy for suggesting this series and for warning about what's to come.

Menage Monday - Training Their Mate by Vella Day

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-Pack Wars #1
Genre-Paranormal/Shifter
Reviewed by Kate

When Liz makes a botched attempt to kill Harvey Couch(who raped her mother), Harvey sends some thugs after her. But not just any thugs, werewolf thugs. It's a good thing that Trax overhears Couch's orders and manages to save Liz from the attack, but not before she discovers the existence of werewolves. Trax takes Liz to the home he shares with his brother Dante do they can protect her from other attacks by Couch.

Trax and Dante recognize Liz is their mate(they're werewolves too-but good ones) but are afraid that if they reveal their furry selves, she'll run and be in danger. They decide to wait until she's fallen for them before they tell her the truth. we all see where this is going, don't we?

Liz's character is filled with the need for revenge, But surprisingly, she's smart enough to realize she's out of her league dealing with werewolves. So she leaves Couch to Trax and Dante. Of course, once she's no longer worries about revenge, she has nothing else to focus on except Trax and Dante. Trax and Dante are part of an organization who take out the bad werewolves like Couch. Dante is a bit of a softy as far as Liz is concerned. But Trax has a one track mind and can't pay much attention (or be nice) to Liz until after Couch is caught. Trax is a dominant, so when he does pay attention to Liz, it usually involves tying her up. I honestly pictured the pair doing a good-cop/bad-cop routine throughout the whole book. Trax was unfeeling and Dante was always there to soften the harshness of Trax's character.

My frustration with this book came not from the characters or the plot, but more from the world the author has created. I had so many questions that went unanswered until the very end ( if they were ever answered), even though they had no bearing on the plot. Questions like: How did Dante and Trax know that Liz was their mate? Was it normal for two males to share a mate? Could non-werewolf females be impregnated by werewolves? The list went on for a while. I feel part of the responsibility of a paranormal/shifter author is to make the reader aware of the rules in their world, because let's face it-each author's world is a unique. Not knowing the rules of this world really pulled me out of the story quite a bit.

I am an occasional reader of shifter romance. How about you? A huge fan or not so much?

Menage Monday - Ours To Love by Shayla Black

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-Wicked Lovers #7
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
391 pages

Xander Santiago is the ultimate playboy, always looking for his next conquest, and always finding it.
He's good looking, rich and great in bed, what more could a girl want?

Javier Santiago is a successful business man with an alcohol problem and a guilt trip. He's also good looking, rich and in need of an intervention.

London McLane is an innocent twenty-five year old woman who is trying to finally start living her life. She's pretty, full-figured and physically scarred from an accident ten years ago.

These three people come together and its hot like fire. Shayla Black does hot so very well. My problem was I never connected to the characters. I have always liked this series from Jack to Logan. I liked Xander in the last book but I never loved him.  When someone's number is around five thousand? EWWWW! Javier was ridiculous about his late wife and him wanting Xander to have dominated her. London was the only saving grace. Her outlook on life just for the pleasure of being able to live was touching. I totally bought the story of her being a virgin. That worked well for me.

I think my biggest problem is the BDSM stuff. It's not my favorite theme in romance at all. Not to mention the market is currently flooded with it. It's exhausting. Truly. If you read this series, you're gonna want to read this one too. It wasn't bad I just never wanted to invest in the male characters. This book will not change my opinion of Shayla Black's writing and I'm still a HUGE fan of hers.

Menage Monday - The Merry Widow of Tanner's Ford by Reece Butler

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild/Moderate Kink
Genre-Retro Contemporary
Reviewed by Kate

The year is 1988 and it's well known that ménage marriages are the norm in the town of Climax, Montana (the old Tanner's Ford for all of you of the Bride Train series). Marci lost her tyrant of a husband in a house fire that left her with the clothes on her back, a scar on her face, and a fear that the law is after her for murdering her husband. She heads to Climax to live with the only family she has left, her sister Nikki, the town's doctor. Marci is enjoying her new freedom, although she is leery of strangers seeing her scarred face. She's also looking forward to exploring her sexual side since her marriage included only dreaded scheduled interludes.

Simon inherited the family ranch and works it along with his twin brother Lance. Lance is down in Texas doing some extra work, so Simon is alone on the ranch when he breaks his leg. When his leg ends up in a cast, Dr. Nikki arranges for Marci to head out to the ranch to take care of stubborn Simon, but doesn't tell Simon that Marci is her sister. Marci is excited to take care of Simon, and she's hoping that Simon will "take care" of her too.

Simon and Lance had a fiance a while back who turned out to be a gold digger, so they've decided to leave their wife up to fate. Once Simon has Marci on the ranch, he realizes she may just be the one. Now he just has to wait for Lance to come home and hope that Marci is on board with a triad relationship as well.

I admit to falling for Simon a bit myself. Between the twins, he's the quieter and more studious of the two and there were a few times I found myself just wanting to sigh contentedly. Lance is a force to be reckoned with, as Marci finds out when she finally meets him. He has a forceful and dominant personality that Marci struggles with a bit because of the domineering side of her dead husband. Marci is a rare heroine who actually manages to think with both her head and her heart. So despite the fact that Lance is so dominant, she is able to recognize the differences between Lance and her husband. I  actually enjoyed her character a lot.

Initially I was a little surprised by the 1988 setting of the book. It just isn't a common period for a romance to take place. I didn't know what genre to classify the book as. Not really contemporary, but I hesitated to call it historical(because I like most of you, was alive in 1988-and I don't consider myself ancient yet). So I'm going with retro contemporary (thanks to Kay for that suggestion). I loved running across little things that reminded me of the time frame. Corded phones, valley-girl talk and Highway to Heaven. The references made me smile. At first, I couldn't figure out what was romantic about 1988, but Reece Butler has shown me in this first book of what promises to be a good series. I anxiously await the next installment.

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.

Touch Me by Olivia Cunning

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High Kink
Series-One Night With Sole Regret #4
Reviewed by Kay

Have you ever wanted to prove something to yourself and maybe everyone else while you're at it? Well, Caitlyn Hanson did. She wanted to prove to herself that she was sexy and that a man or men would want her. With that in mind she, through the help of her friend, gets admission into a sex club.
She wants sex with a random stranger for nothing more than sex sake. She's never been very experienced and she married the first man she ever slept with. Turns out he was a cheater and she is now single.

For Owen Mitchell, a bass guitarist for the band Sole Regret, a night at a sex club was pretty normal. He loves sex and will try almost anything. So, when he sees Caitlyn, who's a few years older than him, he thinks his night just got even better. These two talk and decide on what they want from the night. I won't say exactly what but I was impressed.

I am a fan of Olivia Cunning and loved the first two books of her Sinners series but lost interest with Trey's book. I had no interest in finishing that series either. Luckily, I had already started this one. I enjoyed Gabe's and Adam's books. I wasn't crazy about Shade's book or the novella Share Me but this one kind of redeemed this series and Olivia Cunning as an author for me. I hope people will give this novella series a chance and I can't wait for her new series that features Dare Mills!

Taken by Kelli Maine

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-None
Series-Give&Take #1
Reviewed by Kay

Rachael DeSalvo has a chance at getting her dream job. She memorized everything she needed to know to land the job. She has the interview by webcam with the CEO and gets the job! You flash forward a little and she is out on the town celebrating with her friends. She sees a guy who looks familiar and he approaches her. He buys her a drink and then things go from fuzzy to black. She wakes up in a room she doesn't know surrounded by things she doesn't recognize. She does however recognize the man from the bar. She puts two and two together and realizes she was ruffied. Her captor is none other than the CEO of the company she interviewed with.

Merrick Rocha has been obsessed with Rachael since their interview and watched her from afar since she had to turn down the job. He is obviously very wealthy and used to getting what he wants. Her turning down the job she so desperately wanted intrigued him so much that he kidnapped her. He wants to possess her. Oddly enough, he also wants her help to re-do an old hotel they discussed at her interview.

Okay, first, the creep factor with the kidnapping almost did the book in for me. I have already read Captive in Dark and refused to read Truth, both of these books have similar themes in them. I tried to wrap my brain around it all the way through the book. I couldn't grasp the love of this old hotel being the reason he kidnapped her. That being said, watching his attempts at redemption and winning her trust were entertaining. It was said in the book that she always thought he was attractive and therefore attracted to him. She battled with herself and her feelings regarding him through a lot of the book.

I won't call this a sweet romance but they were happy by the end of the book. There was a little suspense, a lot of creepy, great love scenes once they got started and an HEA. The journey to get there was a little rough. I haven't decided if I'll read more of the series yet

In Flight by R.K. Lilley

Grade-A-
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-High
Series-Up In The Air #1
Reviewed by Kay

Out of five stars, I would say this is a 4.5 star book. It missed a five star or A+ because of my discomfort with some of the sex scenes. James Cavendish is a billionaire who has a taste for kink. Hardcore BDSM to be exact. He doesn't date or do relationships. At least, he didn't until he met Bianca Karlsson. Bianca works as a flight attendant and waits on him in first class. She captures his attention and he propositions her. Bianca is a former victim of violence from her youth but strangely enough, she is drawn to James as a submissive.

This novel is about their relationship evolving in ways they both never saw coming. I liked but disliked both characters for different reasons. I liked James' possessiveness and tenderness but disliked the fact he likes to hurt women during sex. I liked Bianca's friendship with Stephan but not her free acceptance of James' dominance. This story had good flow and I enjoyed the author's voice.
I am excited to read the next book in the series.