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?

Throwback Thursday-Holiday In Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-A
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #7
Genre-Futuristic Romantic Suspense
Reviewed by Kay
308 pages

Eve Dallas' latest case involves dating services, ritualistic murders and Santa Claus. Yes, I said Santa Claus. The city's latest killer dresses as Santa to gain entrance to his victims' homes. When he gets into their homes, he rapes, sodomizes, murders, cleans, does their make-up and poses them. He also leaves a piece of jewelry in the "12 Days of Christmas theme with the victims.

Eve and her team, Roark, Feeney, Peabody and McNabb find out that all the victims used a dating servicce called Personally Yours. As they try to track down this killer, Eve has to deal with Christmas shopping, a horrible fight with not only Roark but also with Peabody. As the clock winds down, the intensity of the case takes a toll on Eve both mentally and physically.

This was my favorite of the series so far. I loved everything about it. The bantering and pulse pounding suspense were fantastic. This series still manages to not only hold my interest but keep me fully engaged. A lot of emotions took place in this book. Eve had to face a lot of things that she wasn't necessarily ready for. Now, me, I'm ready for the next book.

Throwback Thursday-Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #6
Genre-Romantic Suspense, Futuristic
Reviewed by Kay

Eve and Roark were at it again. They were tracking a sadistic killer that had ties to Roark in his youth. The bad guy was a total whack job complete with a God complex. Or maybe he thought he was a messenger of God. Either way, he was a major creeper. Eve had her hands full skirting the lines of legality in this one. She had to trust McNabb who was covering for Feeney when he was on vacation. Trying herself to cover Somerset to protect Roark. Uncovering more of Roark's checkered past and attempts on her life.

I really enjoyed this story because it was fast paced and they even went to Ireland. I enjoyed all the accents when they were in Roark's homeland. I like that maybe in the future there will be some sort of a truce between Eve and Somerset.

 As usual, I enjoyed the on going love story of Eve and Roark, Peabody and the rest of the gang. Still a good series and I will continue on after a short break.

Consumed by Emily Snow

                      

       

Grade-B+

Hotness Level-Inferno

Kink Level-No Kink

Series-Devoured #2

Genre-Contemporary

Reviewed by Kay

176 pages

 

Lucas is a rock star and he and Sienna have a troubled past. He threw her out of his house when she wouldn't submit and then he ended up buying her Grandma's house that was in foreclosure. That led to Sienna signing a contract to work for him for an appointed amount of time and then he'd sign the house over to her. She did this but then he freaked out about his ex-wife and dismissed her.

Now, he's back and begs for Sienna to take him back bascially. She's gunshy but she is in love with him. Head over heels in love. His ex is still causing trouble, malicious trouble but Sienna keeps it from Lucas because he's on tour and she doesn't want him disturbed. There were a lot of obstacles for this couple to overcome: the band, the tour, Cilla, Tyler and Sam (the ex).

I really liked this book even with the wait. I hope she writes about the rest of the band. I know she's written about Kylie and Wyatt. When I first read this series early last year, it just spoke to me. I loved everything about it. The chemsitry, hot sex scenes and believable emotions. I fell in love with Lucas Wolfe for two reasons:

1.) He played Britney Spears for her on his guitar. He's a heavy metal guy but Sienna likes Britney.

2.) He says this to her- "I could have the shittiest day and then come within a hundred feet of you, and the only thing that matters is you."

If you want something sweet and hot, read it.

Obsession by Jennifer Lyon

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Plus One Chronicles #3
Genre-Contemporary/Romantic Suspense
171 pages

This is the conclusion to the Plus-One Chronicles.

At the end of the last book, Sloane had just confessed his secret to Kat, knowing he would likely lose her. But she had made him promise earlier to never lie to her, so he kept this promise. Kat being Kat, chose to love him anyway but hoped he'd change his mind on the revenge he had planned for Lee Foster.

We got to find out if David was involved and if so, how. That closure went well, I thought. Kellen and Diego moved into their own house but were still around for Kat. Kat made a decision regarding the futures of her and Sugar Dancer. Kat and Sloane's relationship with Drake was beautiful and by the end of the book I was sobbing.

I really liked this series. Good characters and plot. Plus hot sex, what more could you want? Everything tied up nicely. Slaone realized he wasn't his mother's son, he got his closure for Sara, accepted Drake as the father of his heart and that Kat was his only one not a plus-one. I will definately read more by Jennifer Lyon.

Possession by Jennifer Lyon

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-The Plus-One Chronicles
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
148 pages

This is a continuation of Sloane Michaels and Kat Thayne's story. She's a baker and he's a self made wealthy man. He's also a former MMA champion. He agrees to help Kat train in self defense because of her past. A past she can't fully remember.

In this book, she and Sloane continue to explore their plus-one relationship. They are both falling for each other and realizing that that they're more than their plus-one. Sloan tries to do things for her monetarily and she's having none of that. As her memories start to clear she realizes that her mugging wasn't truly a mugging but not enough to clearly say what happened. This book ends with her finding out about a secret Sloan is keeping. A secret that could destroy their relationship.

Honestly, this book was a little disappointing to me. Not a lot went on and it was at times, boring. I'll finish the series because I want to know how it all shakes out.

Surrender by Serena Grey

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-A Dangerous Man #4
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
109 pages

This is the conclusion to David and Sophie Preston's story.

Sophie is heartbroken over her separation from David, even though she is the one who asked for the separation. His failure to tell her that he loved her was bad enough but to say it was always just sex between them was pouring salt in the wound. Sophie just wanders through her life. She works, goes home and goes to bed. She goes and gets coffee everyday before work. She's sees the boy who lived next door to her when she was growing up. David said that this boy, Eddie, was in love with Sophie. Sophie never even considered Eddie as anything more than a friend.

Sophie caves and calls David. They have an awkward conversation and she hangs up. David later shows up at her work and takes her to dinner. They have a hot night of sex but nothing really changes. She still loves him and he most say if he loves her. She agrees to a drink with Eddie as just friends and this doesn't end well because David is waiting outside her apartment.

This book was just okay for me. I got really sick of David being a pussy about his childhood. I get that he had a bad childhood but as a grown man, he has to be accountable for his actions. He finally admitted that he loved her but by that time I had a bad taste in my mouth because of him.

As Natural As Breathing by Thianna D.

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Moderate Kink
Series-All They Ever Needed #1
Genre-Contemporary, m/m, BDSM, domestic discipline
Reviewed by Kate
215 pages

Christian returns from the Middle East with more than just scars and a bum leg. He's dealing with depression and questioning his sexuality. Logan is definitely out of the closet and home from college on Christmas break. Both his parents and his good friend Kelli ask him to look out for Christian and see if Logan can't help him figure some things out.

 

I really liked both Logan and Christian's characters. They were deep and complex and together they we so good. Despite being in college, Logan really knows who he is. While a few years older, Christian is struggling with his "damaged" self. When they get together, the relationship is sweet and tender and spicy and hot.

 

As much as I liked Christian and Logan, I was bothered by the secondary characters. Logan's parents are so easy going and accepting. And open...about everything. No kid needs to know that much about their parents' sex life if you ask me. I couldn't help but imagine Logan's parents as Ward and June Cleaver. Christian was so sure that his parents would hate him if he announced that he was gay that when he finally came out (in a very big way) their reaction was a bit of a disappointment. Sad to say, but I was almost relieved when one of the characters actually had a problem with Christian being gay.

 

A few things I want to mention:
1. This is the first book in a same-couple trilogy. So while it has a happy-for-now ending, we know there are more trials ahead for Christian and Logan,

 2. The blurb mentions domestic discipline. While it is discussed in this book, there is no actual practice shown on the pages (although it does appear that it will be a bigger part of the plot in the 2nd book), and

 3. The BDSM doesn't go beyond spanking with bare hand and implements.

 

I found this read enthralling and heartfelt. I can't wait to see what happens to Logan and Christian next.

I've never been a huge fan of same-couple series, but it's reads like this one that just might make me change my mind. Do you have any same-couple series that you would recommend?

 

Inch by Inch by Heidi Belleau and Amelia C. Gormley

Grade-A-

Hotness Level-Inferno

Kink Level-High Kink

Series-Professor's Rule #3

Genre-Contemporary, m/m, BDSM, multiple partner/non-ménage

Reviewed by Kate

50 pages

 

This book picks up where Giving an Inch left off. James is driving to Professor Carson's house after a dressing room interlude with sales associate Satish. James and Professor Carson haven't seen each other in 2 years, but their relationship starts right back up quickly. This one is all about James setting limits with Professor Carson and trying to explore his feelings for Satish.

 

I loved the first book (Giving an Inch) in this series and the second book (An Inch at a Time) was exactly what I wanted it to be. This third book was a great addition, but definitely left James' relationships with Professor Carson and Satish up in the air-and left me wanting more, more, more. I hope Ms. Belleau has more planned for Professor Carson, James, and Satish.

 

I would recommend reading the first two in this series before picking this one up. Reading them in order will take care of any references to the characters' pasts. Although reading this one first will definitely make you want to buy the first two books.

 

Ms. Belleau has created such unique characters and has a way of quickly pulling you into the story that you don't even realize that the stories are short. She has gotten past my aversion to short story series that feature the same characters. If you read only one m/m BDSM series of short stories, this is the series you have to read.

 

This series has been my introduction to the world of m/m and BDSM together. Do you have any suggestions for more m/m BDSM reads?

Claim by Serena Grey

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-A Dangerous Man #3
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
80 pages

David, David, David! You stupid, stupid man!

This is the last book that's available in this series right now. I'm a little aggravated since I thought it was just a trilogy. But after I started reading it, I realized there would be more novellas.

This book is told from David's point of view and therefore very repetitive of the first two books. You do get a little insight into David's past which was nice. The insight not his past. You also get to see that he does truly care for Sophie but won't take a chance on getting hurt to acknowledge it openly. He has hurt Sophie terribly and must deal with his actions.

Sophie is heartbroken and flees. You don't get much about her until the very end if this book. She stands her ground and I loved it. She is realizing her own strength and independence. Now I have to wait until God knows when to find out if David can dig himself out of the hole he's in.

Rebellion by Serena Grey

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-A Dangerous Man #2
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
80 pages

This books starts right where the other book finished. It too is a novella.

David and Sophie are married and headed to where David lives. Sophie is totally enthralled with her new surroundings but David is as aloof as ever with other people. Especially regarding Sophie. The physical part of their relationship is wonderful but she wants to spend more time with him. Get to know him better but his work schedule won't allow it. She spends her days drawing, getting her makeup done, and dealing with her personal shopper.

During her turn with the personal shopper, she finds out that all the people she has come in contact with have had to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding her. This is just another of the many red flags that come up about their relationship. She loves David but he won't say the same. Her insecurities from her past almost choke her.

Why did he marry her? Who is this Carole? Why does he hate his mother? Why is he apprehensive about them being seen together in public? Is he as dangerous as people say he is? Will he ever love her?

I'm going to read book three now and I hope I get some answers. There are copious amounts of sex in this book, which I love. If you want to read a series that's about the same couple but not a long book commitment, try this one.

Awakening by Serena Grey

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-A Dangerous Man #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
50 pages

Wow! This is a really short story that's a teaser to the continuing series. It was free on Amazon so I thought I'd give it a try. I don't know what spoke to me about it but speak it did!

Sophie is a girl whose mother died giving birth to her. She was raised by her aunt who was a total hateful bitch. She was very hard on Sophie and constantly told her that she killed her mother by being born. She was über strict and very emotionally abusive. Always telling Sophie shed end up like her mother, pregnant and discarded.

Sophie works in a gift shop owned by her aunt's lawyer, who took her in after her aunt's death. Sophie loves to draw but was never encouraged by her aunt to pursue it. She knows she needs a change in her life and is going to move to a nearby town.

A wealthy, attractive man comes into the shop after seeing Sophie on the street. This starts a very fast courtship. I mean mind bogglingly fast courtship.

I totally buy into love at first sight. I'm not sure that's what this is but I'm going with it for now. It was steamy even though Sophie is only eighteen and innocent. I don't care, I'm all in.

                      

This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas

Grade-C
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-Mild Kink
Series-This Man#1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay

I really liked the premise of this book, even though the premise has flooded the market. I had bought the book awhile back so I felt obligated to read it.

Ava is an interior decorator somewhere in England and Jesse is an uber-rich man who hires her to decorate The Manor. She goes to meet him out of curiosity since his apparent tastes don't really match what he does. She finds him insanely attractive but a bit of a player. He finds her beautiful but aloof. She tries to back out of the job but he won't hear of it. This starts Jessie's pursuit and seduction of Ava.

Jesse is super controlling, stalkerish and obsessive. Some of those things I can deal with and others...no. I found him extremely alpha and not in a good way. While the sex was hot it felt way too quick. They were doing things Ava had never done right away. I just couldn't buy into it. My biggest complaint is totally a personal preference one. I hated his use of the word lady. I know the author is British but it grated my nerves so badly. I don't think I need to read anymore in this series.

Throw Back Thursday- Naked In Death by J.D. Robb

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-In Death #1
Genre-Romantic Suspense/Mystery
Reviewed by Kay
294 pages

Eve Dallas is police officer in the year 2058 and also a childhood sexual abuse survivor. She has a couple of good friends and rarely dates. Her work is her life pretty much. She is fresh off of a case that has scarred her emotionally when she inherits a mess of a case. It involves the death of a Senator's granddaughter, who was a licensed companion. In this future you can be a prostitute as long as you're licensed to do so. What makes the case more interesting is that the victim was shot with a gun from our current time period. Guns are outlawed in the future. Only serious collectors have them, which leads her to Roarke as a suspect.

Roarke is a very wealthy man with a collection of 20th century guns and he is friends with family of the deceased. But the death of the prostitute is only the first victim and the beginning of this mystery. As Eve gets sexually involved with Roarke, she endangers not only her career but her life as they work together to find this killer that has scared the community.

This was an audio read for me and the first In Death book for me. I enjoyed it and am headed to the library for the second one in audio form. Anyone who likes romantic suspense and a good whodunnit, this is a good start to what I hope is an exciting series. My only complaint as a romance reader is that it could've been hotter. Thank you to Anne and my friend Wendy for suggesting this series to me.

Real by Katy Evans

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Real, Raw and Ripped #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
266 pages

I have been waiting to read this for a looong time and I'm so glad I did! Remington is an underground boxer who was a pro but now is fallen from grace. A true and total bad boy, in every sense of the word. He sees Brooke before one of his matches and becomes fixated on her. Brooke sees Remy and thinks he's the sexiest man she's ever seen. He needs her to do something for him and this starts a beautiful but not traditional love story.

As I was reading I was intrigued and a little aggravated by the pacing of this book at first. I kept thinking that with all the sexual tension going on that surely someone would have sex soon. You so have to wait until about 55% into the story for the sex but it is so worth it. This is a very dirty book and I ended up liking it a whole lot.

It is a story of unconditional love and what that really means. It's also about a pure love that gives you a goofy smile on your face and makes your heart full. When you learn Remy's secret you'll love him even more. This is an on going series (which is not my favorite thing) but I will be here awaiting each and every book.

Surrender Your Love by J.C. Reed

Grade-D
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Surrender Your Love #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
324 pages


Another story where the male lead is a wealthy business man. Jett has made a name for himself with his family's money in the real estate world. He comes to a meeting with a realty company and meets Brooke, who is actually quite rude to him. She spurns his advances and heads home, pissed she was essentially stood up for a business meeting.
Fast forward a bit and there's a drunken one night stand that she doesn't really remember. She just wakes up in bed with Jett and a hangover. There is also another night, off page mind you, where she's drunk and they have sex. She then finds out that he is her new boss and leaves on a trip to Italy with him.  There is a deep dark secret for both of them in their pasts. Are you as confused and bored as I am yet?
I really didn't like the main characters at all. Jett was a little whipped in the beginning for me and Brooke, who claimed she never gets drunk, was kind of a whore. If you can have nights of sex you forget because of being drunk, then I see a pattern in your behavior. The sex was hot but the story just was boring . I don't need to read on in this series.

Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Grade-D
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series-Gabriel's Inferno #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
545 pages

Gabriel Emerson is a college professor whose specialty is Dante, from Dante's Inferno fame. He teaches a class based on Dante. He was adopted by a wonderful family that loved him and treated him very well. He has temper issues, former drug abuse issues and man-whoring issues. Not to mention he's kind of a douche.

Enter Julia Mitchell, college student trying to specialize in all things Dante. She has a past with Gabriel, which he doesn't remember. She has loved him for years upon years. Her past is troubled also. Her mother was negligent with her raising of Julia, her father was emotionally unavailable for her and she had an ex-boyfriend who was emotionally and physically abusive to her. So her self image definitely needed work.

This book started out so good. Julia was a meek, sweet character you rooted for. Gabriel was an ass in the beginning to her and everyone else. About three fourths of the way through the book I wanted to stop but figured I'd went this far, so I had to finish. This book was WAY too wordy! The relationship built nicely but fizzled epically at the one, yes one sex scene. It wasn't even descriptive, I mean at all. My biggest complaint though was that the two main characters were both so very weak and whiny that I wanted to slap them both. I won't go on to the next book.

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.

Beauty Touched The Beast by Skye Warren

Grade-B+
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level- No Kink
Series- Beauty #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
30 pages

This review will be very short because the story was very short.

Blake Morris is a scarred former soldier both inside and out. He has Erin, a college student who cleans his house to help pay for college. He is super attracted to her but knows he's a trainwreck mentally and physically. He has desired her from afar for a while now. But when Erin lets herself into the house to return a book to him she walks in to a self-pleasuring scene straight out of her own fantasies. To say the situation was awkward is an understatement.

This was a pleasant surprise for me and I loved it. I can't wait to read the next installment of this series that I'm pretty sure I'm hooked on.

Savor You by Emily Snow

Grade-B
Hotness Level-Inferno
Kink Level-No Kink
Series- Savor Us #1
Genre-Contemporary
Reviewed by Kay
181 pages

Kylie Wolfe is a personal assistant to her rock star brother, Lucas. She has blue and black hair and a feisty attitude. She has a history of self esteem issues and cutting herself. She has also been in love with Wyatt McCrae since she was a teenager. She tried to escape that love through marrying another man. She really is a glutton for punishment.

Wyatt McCrae is a guitarist for a rock band and been involved with Kylie off and on for years. He has an addiction it seems to women. Sex with women to be exact. He has lived the typical rock star lifestyle you read about in the tabloids. He has been repeatedly unfaithful and hurt Kylie terribly. Even as far as getting a one night stand pregnant.

These two people were heart wrenching to read about because of the pain that they both have felt. Wyatt is the child of an abusive parent and Kylie never felt good enough in her younger years. My complaints were: Kylie being a sap, Wyatt's infidelity in their past and his treatment during said years of Kylie. He loved her but treated her shabbily. I love the series that spawned this book and can't wait to read more.